50 THE QUEENS COURIER • KIDS & EDUCATION • JANUARY 29, 2015 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com Teenagers want parents to be involved in their lives Today’s changing social environment and confusing messages about drugs and alcohol may be making it even more diffi cult for teenagers to get their bearings as they move toward adulthood. That is why it is more important than ever for parents to know what is going on in their kids’ lives and have the skills to respond to their teens appropriately. Specifi cally, as drugs and alcohol are becoming more accessible and more states are legalizing marijuana, kids & education many teens may believe that the use of marijuana or other substances is now okay. Parents should know that legalization of marijuana does not mean it is harmless, and increased availability of other substances does not make them less harmful, either. Marijuana and other substances can cause permanent damage to the teenage brain, and teens can become addicted more quickly than adults. This is a time when parents need to become involved in their teens’ lives and help them navigate these complex issues. While many parents may think of their teens as grown-ups and able to fully take care of themselves, teenagers have said that this is a time when they need their parents the most. Asking questions and being involved shows teenagers that their parents care. “Even though teens may sometimes indicate otherwise, through my experience as a psychiatrist to teenagers, I have found that most of them want their parents involved in their lives to provide guidance and support,” says Dr. Thomas Wright, chief medical offi cer at Rosecrance, one of the country’s leading teen substance abuse treatment centers. “Teens want their parents to actively parent them and provide them guidance they need, including direction around substances.” Studies have shown that parents who play an active role in the lives of their teens can positively impact their children’s behavior and infl uence them to cease or abstain from ever using substances. In contrast, research shows that teens whose parents expect them to engage in risky behaviors such as drinking and using drugs are more likely to do so. “It is critical that parents understand their role and take conscious measures to support their teens in living a healthy and happy life,” Wright says. “Parents should ask what their teens are doing, address the pressures they are facing, act immediately when they suspect their teen is in trouble, and advocate for help if their teen needs it to help them live a healthy life.” Starting a conversation with a teen about substances can be daunting. It can be even more overwhelming for a parent when their teenage child approaches them with questions before they have had a chance to prepare. For a helpful guide to talking with a teenager about marijuana visit www.rosecrance.org/ teens-weed. Courtesy BPT Grace Church Playschool Join Us For oUr open HoUse: Monday February 9TH • Tuesday February 10th • Wednesday February 11th 9am-11am If you cannot make our open House, please call for an appointment Get a great start in our warm, friendly school that has been providing new & exciting educational foundations in our neighborhood for many years. Children born in 2012-2013 (must be age 2.9 to begin) can start in one of our great programs. Our age appropriate curriculum includes: Color & Shapes H Music H Letter Recognition H Number Recognition Science H Social Studies H Social Skills H Imagination & Fun And Much, Much More…… Small Class Sizes H Qualified Teachers H Computers H Local Field Trips EARLy NoN-REFuNdAbLE EduCATIoN FEE $20000 14-15 Clintonville Street, Whitestone, NY 11357 Email: Gracechurchplayschool@yahoo.com 718-767-2162 www.gracechurchwhitestone.org Morning Classes 8:30am - 11:30am Afternoon Classes 12:00- 3:00pm Full Day Classes 8:30am - 3:00pm of the 2013 THE QUEENS QueensCourier.com After School Also Available 3:00pm- 5:00pm walking • learning • talking • behaving • playing HASC subsidiary We’re celebrating a new beginning! MKSA LLC formerly Marion K. Salomon & Associates, Inc. Early Intervention services is now part of the HASC family! Same caring, dedicated professionals… Same high level of quality services! Call MKSA if your child is not doing what other kids the same age are doing. Ask questions…and get answers. 718-631-1110 or 888-239-0468 (Queens & Brooklyn) Pediatric therapists wanted! Apply online at www.mksallc.com Reference WEB ID QBC101 www.mksallc.com info@mksallc.com com The Early Intervention Program is funded and regulated by the NYS Department of Health and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Services are provided at no out-of-pocket cost to families for children birth to age 3 who meet eligibility guidelines. sleeping • asking • pointing • eating • listening
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