Dear Friend,

As we gear up for another exciting school year, it’s time to prepare for the new experiences and trends that come with it. One trend that we are focused on is responsibility. Responsibility is IN for 2024, and we are all for it! Embracing this trend is easy. Here’s what you can do: 

✅ Normalize that most kids don’t drink.

It’s true! Keeping kids alcohol-free is a trend that we can get behind. An amazing number of kids and teens—more than 60%! —report having never consumed alcohol. 

✅ Model responsible behaviors.

In times of celebration and in times of conflict, it’s important to show your kids how to act—and react—responsibly. Self-care and mindfulness are important, as is finding healthy ways to manage stress, peer pressure, and a new school year. 

✅ Engage in conversations.

When conversations between adults and kids about alcohol increase, underage drinking rates decrease. That’s why we asked some of the parents on our team to share with us the most important conversation they have as they prepare their kids for the school year, whether they are entering school for the first time, transitioning to a new school, heading back to college, or anything in between.

Leslie Kimball, 

Executive Director

"Be 'your best self.' My kids, who are entering 9th and 12th grades, hear me say this constantly for all sorts of behavior. When a classmate is reporting that they’re making an easier choice (not studying, being unsportsmanlike or making illegal choices at parties), we repeat, be 'YOUR best self.' Friends can still be friends when they make different choices, but best friends lift you up and make it easy for your best self to shine."

Darrin Grondel,

Senior Vice President, Traffic Safety

"My teens will both be in high school this year, 9th and 12th grade. For me, it's important to have a conversation about alcohol – what they know, the dangers, and their attitudes about it. In addition, planning for what to say if they are offered a drink at a party or faced with peer pressure. I give them an emoji code to text me if they ever feel unsafe and need me to pick them up."

Kelly Poulsen, 

Senior Vice President, Government Relations

"My son is entering kindergarten, so the conversations I have with him are a bit different. The most important one at his age (5) is how to be a good friend and have new experiences that may be scary."

Kristy Farley, 

Community Engagement Strategist

"My son (20) will be heading back to college for his junior year. I always tell him that in addition to looking out for himself, make sure to look out for others. If he happens to be at a party and sees someone who may have been over-served, make sure they get home safely!"

Parents are the #1 influence on kids' decision to drink – or not drink – alcohol. So, join us in celebrating the fact that responsibility is IN this back-to-school season. And don’t forget to set your alarm—that school day starts early! 

-The Responsibility.org Team