Parent Up Insights
We share practical, up-to-date information to help parents tackle difficult issues with their children around underage drinking, drug use, mental health, and more. Together we can create positive outcomes for our children!
Drawing Boundaries for Safe, Healthy Kids
March 1, 2021 No Comments
Diane Pickert is a Community Prevention Specialist at Tri-County Mental Health Services in Kansas City, MO. Her background education is in Early Childhood Development, Communication, …
The Magic of Family Meals
February 2, 2021 No Comments
How has family meal time changed for you this year? Has your family had to adapt to new school and work schedules, making it harder …
What We Want Every Parent to Know
November 23, 2020 No Comments
There’s yard signs, news headlines, and lawsuits buzzing around us. No, we are not talking about the election. We’re talking about medical marijuana. In 2018, …
High-Performing Kids and Mental Wellness: The Tightrope Walk
October 23, 2020 No Comments
We humans are good at finding patterns. This evolutionary benefit has kept us alive longer than the dinosaurs, but it’s not foolproof. Sometimes, these patterns …
7 Things to Consider As You Send Your Child Back to School
August 28, 2020 No Comments
What a difficult time this is to be thinking about back to school! Not only do you need to prepare your child for going to …
The Results are In! New 2020 Data and Looking to the Future
August 19, 2020 No Comments
Local Data on Substance Use Declines The Missouri Student Survey is conducted on even-numbered years and tracks risky behaviors of students in grades 6-12 attending …
What are We Teaching Our Kids?: How to be a positive role model when it comes to alcohol
May 6, 2020 No Comments
“Role Modeling is one of the most powerful tools you have in your parenting tool belt to influence the direction of your children’s character, whatever …
We Are Supposed to Feel: Parenting During COVID-19
April 7, 2020 No Comments
This month, Sonya Richardson-Thomas, a Licensed Professional Counselor, gives practical tips and tools for parents as they work to extend grace and acceptance during the …
4 Parenting Trends For 2020
January 29, 2020 No Comments
New year, new trends! As we enter a new decade, here are some parenting trends and movements you might see in 2020. Mental Health Transparency …
Secrets Versus Privacy
January 9, 2020 No Comments
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 …
6 Warning Signs Your Child Has Been Vaping
December 3, 2019 No Comments
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 …
The Power of Grandparents in Preventing Underage Drinking
October 24, 2019 No Comments
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 …
Start Young: 5 Ways to Talk To Your Elementary Aged Child About Alcohol
October 1, 2019 No Comments
Read More → 8 Warning Signs That Your Child Has Been Drinking
August 16, 2019 1 Comment
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
July 15, 2019 1 Comment
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
June 17, 2019 No Comments
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
May 29, 2019 No Comments
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
April 16, 2019 No Comments
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
March 22, 2019 2 Comments
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.
Welcome to the Parent Up Blog
February 22, 2019 No Comments
At Parent Up, our mission is to prevent underage drinking in the Northland through equipping parents with facts, resources and tools. The aim of our new blog is to provide practical, up-to-date information about parenting from local experts and parents like you.