The Parent Up Blog
We share practical, up-to-date information to help parents tackle difficult issues with their children such as underage drinking, drug use and mental health. Together, we can create positive outcomes for our children!
Secrets Versus Privacy
With teenagers on their road to expanding independence, a parental grip must somewhat loosen. The balance between being present and involved, and allowing our kids space and freedom, can tip easily to one direction or the other. We wonder about asking too many...
6 Warning Signs Your Child Has Been Vaping
Vaping –or the use of e-cigarettes– is a dangerous trend that has been rising in popularity among youth. In fact, a 2019 report by the Center for Disease Control shows that the number of middle and high school students using e-cigarettes rose from 3.6 million in 2018...
The Power of Grandparents in Preventing Underage Drinking
Children often hold a special place in their hearts and minds for grandparents. Oftentimes, they feel like they’re able to have open conversations with their grandparents without judgment, criticism or punishment they may receive from parents. It’s for that reason...
Start Young: 5 Ways to Talk To Your Elementary Aged Child About Alcohol
For parents of elementary aged children, the need to talk about avoiding alcohol and other drug use can feel like a long ways off. While it’s true that the pressure to drink with their friends, start using drugs, or hide substance-use behavior from parents may not be...
8 Warning Signs That Your Child Has Been Drinking
We’ve identified 8 few common changes in your kid’s physical appearance and behavior that may be warning signs that they have been drinking.
Alcohol Advertising – How It Influences Youth Perceptions on Drinking
Advertising is everywhere, and alcohol-related advertising is no exception. In 2011 alone, 14 major alcohol marketers spent a whopping $3.45 billion on advertising.
The Secret Sauce of De-stressing
Children get stressed when they experience simple frustrations, such as getting a bad grade, and when big things happen, like when someone they love dies. As parents, we know we can’t prevent our children from experiencing stress, but we can be a buffer from stress rather than a creator or cause of stress.
Top Apps Parents Should Know About In 2019
As a parent, it can feel impossible to keep up with our children, especially when it comes to apps. Here are some of the top apps you should know about as a parent.
What To Do If You Find Out An Adult Is Providing Alcohol
The alarming truth is that kids in the Kansas City Northland rarely get alcohol from retailers; it’s usually from older friends or family. In a survey conducted in 2018, 62.2% of adolescents claimed to have acquired alcohol through a friend, while 41.6% stated that they got alcohol through family members.
Alcohol and the Teen Brain
The brain is not fully developed until at least the mid-twenties with the adolescent years being a crucial period in brain development. Learn why teenagers are more vulnerable to alcohol, the impact alcohol has on the teen brain, and what you can do as a parent to prevent underage drinking.