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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!
3 Ways We Can ALL Keep Kids Safe – Watch, Drop, Talk
Keeping kids and teens safe can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to prescription medications and the risks of accidental poisoning, misuse, and overdose. …
5 Easy Tips for Making a Homecoming Game Plan with Your Teen
Homecoming is a big night for teens, and a little planning can help keep it fun and safe. Before your teen heads out, take a ...
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Parent Up hosts FREE Fall Workshop Series for Parents & Caregivers!
Join Parent Up and Beacon Mental Health for an engaging lineup of free educational sessions designed to support parents and caregivers of youth in the ...
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How to Protect Our Kids from Deadly Fake Pills
In today’s rapidly changing world, it’s more crucial than ever to stay informed about the dangers that can impact our kids and teens. Two of ...
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New School Year, New Opportunities to Connect & Protect!
As backpacks are packed, schedules fill up, and classrooms welcome students back, the back-to-school season offers a valuable opportunity for parents & caregivers to reconnect ...
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9 Ways to Root Your Family in Resilience
As parents or caregivers, we know you want the best for your kids and hope that they get to stay in their carefree kid phase ...
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What To Do if Other Adults Provide Alcohol to Minors
This month a local mom, Nancy B., describes a dilemma other parents and caregivers may relate to: “There were two kids passed out on the ...
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To the Parents of Our 2026 High School Graduates
Dear Parents & Guardians, Graduation is upon us and it’s time to celebrate your child’s accomplishments and achievements! As you prepare to launch your child ...
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Prom Is Coming! Parents Matter More Than You Think
Prom is one of the most exciting nights of high school: Photos. Friends. Big plans. Big memories. And while most teens in the Kansas City ...
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4 Simple Steps Parents Can Take Before Prom Night
Prom safety doesn’t require perfection — just intention. Before prom weekend, consider taking these four simple steps: Have a calm, clear conversation. Let your teen ...
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What Parents Should Know: Kratom & 7-OH
Parents and caring adults, we are navigating a fast-changing landscape of drugs that didn’t exist when many of us were growing up. Kratom and 7-OH ...
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How To Talk To Teens About Marijuana: What Works
As parents and caregivers, we all want to protect our kids and help them grow into healthy, confident adults. When it comes to marijuana—also known ...
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5 Urgent Reasons to Keep Our Kids Marijuana-Free
As parents and caring adults, we all want our kids to grow up healthy, happy, and confident about their futures. But with today’s marijuana products ...
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We Know How to Fight This: Flavored Marijuana
If it feels like vaping is suddenly everywhere, you’re not imagining it. Local reports and data from this past year show a sharp rise in ...
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5 Ways to Keep Our Kids Marijuana-Free
As parents and caregivers, we want nothing more than to see our kids happy, healthy, and thriving. But today’s marijuana is far stronger than it ...
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Parenting: The Quiet Heartbreak of Doing Your Best
Miranda Jamison is a local parent and the lead reporter for The Richmond News and The Excelsior Springs Standard. She covers everything from local government ...
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How Can I Support Teens in Taking “Safe” Risks?
If you’ve ever said, “What were you thinking?!” to a teen, you’re not alone! Luckily, a basic understanding of teen brain development can help us ...
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Medicine Safety: Help Protect Kids Now & in the Future
In light of the opioid epidemic and with fentanyl already in our communities, it’s more important than ever to teach our younger kids about medication safety. ...
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Parent Up Hosting New Fall Parent Workshop Series
Join Parent Up and Beacon Mental Health for an engaging lineup of free educational sessions designed to support parents and caregivers of youth in Northland ...
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Teen Vaping is Down, But Nicotine Use is Up – Here’s Why
There’s a new nicotine trend taking hold among teens, and it’s not vaping. Usage of this product amongst high schoolers nearly doubled between 2023 and ...
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Discreet and Sweet: Steering Kids Clear of Fruity Nicotine Gum, Tablets, & Pouches
There’s a new trend with teens, especially among those who have tried smoking or vaping: New fruity nicotine gums, tablets, pouches, and lozenges. Popular brands among ...
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Help Knock Out Teen Vaping For Good. Here’s How:
As adults, helping our teens make good choices can sometimes feel like stepping into the boxing ring, facing off against the challenges that threaten their ...
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A Clear Message from Clay, Platte and Ray Prosecutors: “Don’t Provide Alcohol to Minors”
As the school year wraps up and the summer season approaches, Parent Up is joining with local prosecutors and prevention coalitions to remind parents and ...
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Make the Most of Dinners with Your Teen!
Dr. Anne Fishel is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychology at the Harvard Medical School and the Director of the Family and Couples Therapy Program ...
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What are We Teaching Our Kids?: How to Be a Positive Role Model with Alcohol
“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 ...
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How to Keep Our Kids Merry and Bright Now and All Year Long
It’s the holiday season and here at Parent Up, we are intentionally celebrating the joy, creativity, and resilience of area youth. We also celebrate YOU, ...
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