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As summer draws to a close, it's time to gear up for an exciting new school year filled with possibilities and opportunities. Whether entering school for the first time, heading off to college, or anything in between, all kids will have chances to make new friends and connect with peers they haven’t seen all summer, allowing for new experiences—both healthy and also potentially risky. Before they set foot on campus, make sure to prepare them with the knowledge they need to make smart decisions. 

In today's fast-paced world, the pursuit of knowledge is more important than ever. It's not just about academic achievements, but also about nurturing responsible, well-rounded individuals who will shape a brighter future. Since 2003, the rate of past-month alcohol consumption among underage youth has decreased 53% (Monitoring the Future, 2022).  In a recent Responsibilty.org survey, we found that more than half of parents think their children will be faced with a decision about drinking alcohol in the next year – and kids confirmed it.  

Knowledge is power, and it’s also a responsibility. We have pulled together some of our most helpful resources for you to use to arm your kids with the knowledge they need to make smart decisions and have a healthy, successful school year as they continue to learn, grow, and mature. 

Ask, Listen, Learn: Kids and Alcohol Don't Mix: Talk to your elementary and middle school kids about healthy versus risky behaviors. Teach them about how underage drinking affects their developing brains and their behaviors. We make it easy to start these conversations using short videos about saying “YES” to a healthy lifestyle and “NO” to underage drinking.    

Advice for Parents from Parents: High School is another key transition point in children’s lives. Parents need to talk with their teenagers about risky behaviors and making smart decisions whether it is about academics, driving, peer pressure, or underage drinking. We are in this together and advice from other parents can help us address these important issues and be prepared if met with an I know everything attitude.

Parents You’re Not Done Yet: For parents of older teens and college-aged kids, remember that it’s still important to empower these young adults to make healthy decisions. Remind them that underage drinking is illegal and that risky behaviors such as binge drinking have many negative consequences. 

OnResponsibility Parenting videos: Teenagers are faced with countless pressures and navigating these years with your kids can prove overwhelming for any family; giving them the tools to make good decisions despite the pressure and stress they may face is crucial. These videos feature unique leaders in parenting and beyond. Our experts offer thoughtful and practical advice to parents as they navigate the teenage years with their kids, sharing skills and tips they’ve learned to help raise responsible teenagers. 

Remember, responsibility is knowledge. Together, let's embrace the incredible power of education and model these behaviors at home as we celebrate back-to-school season and another year of shaping a brighter future for kids everywhere. 
 

-The Responsibility.org Team