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Parent SOS
Graduation day is tough for adults. They go to the ceremony as parents. They come home as contemporaries. After twenty-two years of child-raising, they are unemployed.
Erma Bombeck
Teen Drinking is a serious problem in not only our nation, but also right here in Huntington Beach. Rather than turning a blind eye to teen drinking, or even worse, encouraging it, listed below are some good resources to help parents and their kids adopt positive strategies to deal proactively with this problem. Better to educate yourself now than to experience tragic consequences later.
www.saddonline.com Students Against Destructive Decisions. "Resources" contain a "Contract for Life" between child and parent. Child agrees not to make destructive decisions; parent pledges never to drink and drive, and to provide a "safe, sober" ride anytime the kid needs one.
madd.org Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Contains statistics and research: tracks laws relating to drunk driving and underage drinking.
focusas.com Focus Adolescent Services, a clearinghouse of information, resources and support for parents of teens.
www.niaaa.nih.gov National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. "Publications" section includes such brochures as "Keep Kids Alcohol Free; Strategies for Action" and "Parents: Help Your Teens Party Right at Graduation."
Best Web Sites To Quit Smoking (Free):
The American Lung Association's Freedom from Smoking program leads you through seven units with several lessons. Go to: lungusa.org
The National Cancer Institute you can get an instant message from the staff from 9am to 11pm ET, Monday - Friday. There is a good step-by-step guide, too. Go to: smokefree.gov
Best Web Sites For Helping Problem Drinkers:
Boston University School of Public Health: alcoholscreening.org
Alcoholics Anonymous Internet site: e-aa.org
Partnership got a drug-free America: drugfree.org
Best Sites For Home Health (Free)
American Academy of Family Physicians: familydoctor.org
The famous Mayo Clinic Medical Center: mayoclinic.com
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: healthfinder.gov
The University of California, San Diego, Medical Center: health.ucsd.edu/healthinfo
The U.S. Government's Directory of Sources For Health Information: medlineplus.gov
Best Sites For Shaping Up
Download videos for Pilates, Yoga, Step, Cardio Kickboxing & Treadmill Work-Outs ($99 per year): demandfitness.com
The American Council on Exercise: acefitness.org
The Mayo Clinic's Fitness For Healthy Living: mayoclinic.com
President's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports: presidentschallenge.org
Best Sites Doctors Prescribe (Free):
Sleep Problems: sleepfoundation.org
North American Menopause Society: menopause.org
Expectant Mothers For Emotional & All Practical Information: expectantmothersguide.com
Pickey & Problem Eaters (children): dolesuperkids.com
Best Web Sites For Help With Emotional Problems:
National Institute of Mental Health (Every condition from bulimia to schizophrenia): www.nimh.nih.gov
National Mental Health Association (To diagnose depression, info. on ADD & bi-polar disorder): nmha.org
Anxiety Disorders Association (Phobias, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress & panic disorder): www.adaa.org