Search form

The site for substance use disorder prevention and mental health promotion professionals and volunteers.

Home » Back to School Survival Guide for Parents

Back to School Survival Guide for Parents

Submitted by Administrator on Thu, 09/17/2015 - 07:54

From the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids' Parent Blog: 

Getting ready for the upcoming school year isn’t all about notebooks, brand-new clothes and lunchboxes. It’s also about preparing your child for a new transition and laying the foundation for good communication.

Questions about drugs and alcohol will inevitably come up during the school year as your son or daughter meets different friends, encounters unfamiliar social situations and is exposed to pop culture and media.

To help parents, the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids has assembled this virtual backpack. Not only will it better equip your child during this transition, it’s filled with tips and tools for talking, listening and improving your overall communication so that when your child has questions about drugs and alcohol, you will be the one he or she turns to.

  1. Prevent drug use at every age.

From preschool to young adulthood find out what to say.

  1. Learn about drugs in your teen’s world.

–Our Drug Guide will give you the facts to keep your teen safe (pdf).

–Download our free mobile app for Android phones and iPhones for easy access to information on drugs most commonly abused by teens — including photos, slang terms and short- and long-term effects.

  1. Listen to what these moms have to say.

Partnership moms give their 10 best back-to-school tips.

  1. Set Limits.

While your teen’s judgment skills are developing, she needs you to keep her safe by setting clear limits backed up with firm consequences.

  1. Become a better listener.

Learn how to listen. Then take this quiz (pdf) to see how good you are.

  1. Starting a new school?

      Help your child make good choices during this critical time.

  1. Talk about marijuana.

Find out how to have meaningful, productive conversations with your teen about marijuana.

  1. Help end medicine abuse.

More teens are abusing prescription medicine than ever. Here’s what you can do to help.

  1. Encourage healthy competition.

Help your student athlete embrace healthy, drug-free competition.

  1. Write a contract.

Establish rules (in writing) about drugs and alcohol that you both agree to (pdf).