Here are some suggestions from Bright Futures experts that may be of value to your family.
Physical Growth and Development
Your Growing and Changing Teen
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Help your teen visit the dentist at least twice a year.
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Encourage your teen to protect her hearing at work, home, and concerts.
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Keep a variety of healthy foods at home.
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Help your teen get enough calcium.
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Encourage 1 hour of vigorous physical activity a day.
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Praise your teen when he does something well, not just when he looks good.
Risk Reduction
Healthy Behavior Choices
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Talk with your teen about your values and your expectations on drinking, drug use, tobacco use, driving, and sex.
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Be there for your teen when she needs support or help in making healthy decision about her sexual behavior.
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Support safe activities at school and in the community.
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Praise your teen for healthy decisions about sex, tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.
Violence and Injury Prevention
Violence and Injuries
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Do not tolerate drinking and driving.
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Insist that seat belts be used by everyone.
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Set expectations for safe driving.
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Limit the number of friends in the car, nighttime driving, and distractions.
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Never allow physical harm of yourself, your teen, or others at home or school.
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Remove guns from your home. If you must keep a gun in your home, make sure it is unloaded and locked with ammunition locked in a separate place.
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Teach your teen how to deal with conflict without using violence.
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Make sure your teen understands that healthy dating relationships are built on respect and that saying “no” is OK.
Emotional Well-Being
Feelings and Family
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Set aside time to be with your teen and really listen to his hopes and concerns.
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Support your teen as he figures out ways to deal with stress.
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Support your teen in solving problems and making decisions.
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If you are concerned that your teen is sad, depressed, nervous, irritable, hopeless, or angry, talk with me.
Social and Academic Competence
School and Friends
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Praise positive efforts and success in school and other activities.
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Encourage reading.
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Help your teen find new activities she enjoys.
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Encourage your teen to help others in the community.
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Help your teen find and be a part of positive after-school activities and sports.
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Encourage healthy friendships and fun, safe things to do with friends.
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Know your teen's friends and their parents, where your teen is, and what he is doing at all times.
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Check in with your teen's teacher about her grades on tests.
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Attend back-to-school events if possible.
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Attend parent-teacher conferences it possible.
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