As
we enter the prom and graduation season the Groton Dunstable Alliance for Youth
wants to take a moment to thank the "cool" parents in our communities. You know who you are and we appreciate your
efforts to care for the children and teens in our communities. Who are the cool parents? Cool parents...
- Understand that our
children and teens need strong parents, but not parents who want to be
their friends. They have friends
their own age.
- Know that letting other
people's children drink alcohol in their home crosses a line. Cool parents understand they don't have
the right to make that decision for other people's children.
- Know that they have the
right to expect other parents in the community to respect their family's
rules and expectations.
- Understand that it is
not a given that all the kids will drink and that we should let them drink
at home where they'll be "safe."
Cool parents understand that this practice doesn't guarantee
anyone's safety.
- Set clear expectations
about healthy and safe behaviors with their children and hold kids
accountable for their actions.
- Don't minimize teen
alcohol use because of a misinformed belief that "we did it and our kids
will too."
- Understand that driving
a car after drinking is a major risk to anyone, including teens. Cool parents also know that drinking and
driving is not the only alcohol-related risk to our kids.
- Recognize that it is
illegal to serve alcohol to people under the age of 21.
Again,
our thanks to the cool parents. Spread
the word and encourage other parents to join the crowd.
Sincerely,
GDAY
Steering Committee
Alice
Anne Barbo
Ann
Bradley
Jane
Cooper
Ardie
Henry
Penny
Hommeyer
Alice
Lenhart
John
Llodra
Judy
Robinson
Patti Spooner
