To your older teens, Spring Break is synonymous with action-packed adventure among friends. Trips, long drives to beach destinations, lack of sleep, heightened social activity and more can be found on their itinerary.
While the focus for teens may be spending quality time with friends, parents still play an important role. Having a conversation with your teens before spring break helps prepare them for situations they may encounter, including exposure to underage drinking.
Whether you’re supervising, giving permission for a first-time Spring Break trip or preparing your teens for another adventure with friends, consider these tips:
1. Instill trust.
It’s important to trust your teens before giving them the freedom and responsibility of a Spring Break experience. To help prepare for potential social scenarios, ask them open-ended questions. Their answers will help you determine whether or not they are ready for independent responsibility and enable you to help them create a plan to stay alcohol-free.
2. Re-establish expectations.
Relax, but don’t loosen the rules. Maintain consistency with your expectations and ensure that you and your spouse or partner are on the same page. It’s important for your teens to understand that underage drinking is not allowed at any time.
3. Ensure clarity.
Follow up to make sure that you and your teens have a clear understanding of expectations before they embark on a Spring Break adventure. Confirm you are understood; use questions or ask them to repeat their understanding of what you’ve communicated.
4. Create a communication plan.
Whether they’re staying in town or heading for the beach, talk with your teen and align on a communication plan. Texts, social media or phone calls - there’s no wrong way to communicate throughout the break.
For more tips on connecting with your teens,click here.
- 3 Family Resolutions for Better Communication in 2016
- 5 Ways to Encourage Gratitude
- Understanding the Coaching Approach to Parenting
- Asking Open Ended Questions to Get Your Teen Thinking
- 4 Ways to Maintain Your Consistency
- Meet MJ
- What is Anheuser-Busch Family Talk About Drinking?
- 3 Ideas to Help Grow Your Child's Decision Making Skills
- Texting is Not Enough: Communicating with your Teen on Prom Night
- Submit Question Form
- 5 Tips for Setting Prom Expectations with Your Teen
- 10 Ways to Say No To Alcohol on Prom Night
- Parents are the Biggest Influence on their Kids’ Decisions about Drinking
- Communicating with Your High School Graduate
- Q&A With MJ: A Celebration of Mother’s Day
- 3 Topics to Discuss After Graduation
- 5 Ideas for Starting Fun Family Traditions
- Parenting for All Chapters of Life
- 5 Fun Summer Projects to Build Confidence
- 4 Tips for When Your Teen Moves Out
- 5 Back-to-School Tips
- 10 Questions for the First Week of School
- 10 Ways to Make Homework Less Work
- 5 Ways to Help Kids Through a School Transition
- Letting Go: Tips and Advice for Parents
- Communicating With Your Teen About Homecoming
- 3 Tips for Making the Most of Your Parent Teacher Conference
- 4 Ways to Have a R.E.A.L. Connection with Your Kids
- 5 Tips for a Safe and Responsible Halloween
- Tips for a Fun & Safe Holiday Break
- 5 Ways to Shift Your Thoughts for Happier Holidays
- 5 Tips for Holiday Crafting with Kids
- 3 Ways To Prevent Underage Drinking During the Holidays
- 5 Ways to Start a Conversation With Your Teens
- 5 Simple Family Moments
- 3 Questions to Help Kids Think Outside the Box
- 8 Ways for Parents to Find Balance
- Showing Love Through Accountability
- 3 Reasons to Love Others Through Random Acts of Kindness
- 5 Ways to Determine if Your Teen is Ready for Spring Break
- 4 Ways to Prepare Your Teen for Spring Break
- 3 Ways to Prepare for Prom and Graduation Season
- 5 Reasons to Ask Your Teens Open-Ended Questions
- Communicating With Your Teen About Prom Night
- 3 Conversation Starters for Graduation Season
- 3 Ways to Preserve Family Connections Over The Summer
- 4 Ways Summer Jobs Benefit your Teen
- Harnessing the Power of an Older Sibling’s Influence
- 5 Staycation Ideas for the Whole Family
- 5 Ways to Start School on a Positive Note
- 5 Ways to Help Your Kids Through School Transitions
- 4 Ways to Help Children with Self-Improvement
- 5 Open-Ended Questions For the Start of the New School Year
- 3 Ways To Talk About Underage Drinking Prevention
- Evaluating Your Teens' Relationships
- 5 Ways to be a Good Role Model for Your Teens
- 5 Ways to Encourage Gratitude
- Showing Your Child Love Through Accountability
- 5 Ways to Prevent Underage Drinking This Holiday Season
- Keys to Successful Family Meetings
- Making a Family Plan for Success
- Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships: Teaching Your Teens the Difference
- What Your Children Need to Feel Loved
- Helping Kids Manage Stress During Testing Season
- 3 Communication Strategies for Prom and Grad Season
- 10 Prom Night Do's and Dont's for Parents
- Parents' Greatest Ally in Preventing Underage Drinking? Other Parents
- 3 Conversations to Have with Your Teen Before Graduation
- 5 Tips for Post-Grad Parenting
- New School Year, Same Expectations
- Setting Expectations with Other Parents
- Defining Wants and Needs This Holiday Season
- How Family Dinners Strengthen Relationships
- Spring Forward with Your Family Relationships
- Talking to Your Teens Before Spring Break
- 10 Ways Parents Can Prepare For Prom
- Summer Guide for Working Parents
- 3 Ways to Model Positive Summer Behavior
- How To Engage Teens Through Their Interests
- College Talk 101: Crash Course for Parents
- 4 Reasons to Host Your Teens and Their Friends
- Parenting to Foster Independent Decision-Making
- Stepping Out of Comfort Zones & Why It's Important
- Combating Peer Pressure with Confidence and Independence
- How To Make a Boo Bag
- 3 Signs Your Teen Has Become Acceptance Dependent
- Help Your Kids Feel Included This Holiday Season
- Reconnect with Your College Freshman this Holiday Break
- 3 Tips for Finding Time With Your Teens Over The Holidays
- The Holiday Season With Your Teens - How to Reconnect and Set Expectations