A Message to every parent... Because your children are watching you and doing as you do,  not as you say..

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and learned that little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I felt you kiss me good night and I felt loved and safe.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything
that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."

Each of us, parent, grandparent or friend, influences the life of a child.

Your Teenagers Brain – Behind the Wheel

Taken from presentation by Wilkie Wilson, Ph.D. 
From DukeLearn  at Lifesavers 2011

The human brain is not fully developed until the early 20’s  This presents both opportunities and risks. Many teen behaviors result from their unique brain characteristics. The late-developing prefrontal cortex is the coordinating center of the brain. It permits a person to organize complex tasks, plan in advance for actions, interpret complex cues, inhibit inappropriate behavior and execute rapid decision making.  These are all actions that are very necessary to driving a vehicle.  The emotional regions of the brain develop before the executive centers and thus teens are more prone to emotion-based responses.

Adults are “gestalt” thinking because they have experience.. they can make quick decisions.  Teen have to think through issues because they lack experience.. their decisions take longer.  The teen brain responds to alcohol differently. Teens are less sedated by alcohol than adults. But they probably get a greater “buzz” from it. Thus they can stay awake at higher levels of alcohol and engage in risky behavior.

So what do we do as parents?
*  teach teens that their brains are different in a variety of ways
*  teach teens to be aware of how these differences may affect driving
*  help them avoid situations in which their deficiencies may be problematic
*  teach them that the brain is like a muscle and it improves with training and practice
*  encourage teens to avoid driving in risky situations (such as with friends in the car) until they have extensive experience
*  encourage teens to engage in a lifestyle that promotes maximal brain function    such as   1)adequate sleep (9 hrs. a night)

2) proper food ( foods that keep blood gloucose at healthy levels( such as protein, good fats, and complex carbohydrates

3) avoid excess stress, because the brain functions poor;y under chronic stress
Remember car crashes are the major cause of death in 15 – 25 year olds It takes a well functioning brain to make all the quick decisions needed to drive. That is why all teens need to focus 100% on driving. Leave the socializing to after they reach their destination.

Go to this website for more information on the teen brain
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2008/11/26/how-to-deploy-the-amazing-power-of-the-teen-brain

Too often teens take drinking to disturbing extremes. Alcohol and drinking problems contribute to:

• Suicide and death— nearly half of all teen suicides each year and more than half of adolescent deaths in Minnesota involve alcohol.
• Traffic crashes, injuries and deaths— one-third of all traffic fatalities among 16 to 19-year olds are caused by drinking and driving.
• Violence, sexual assaults and date rape— drinkers are more prone to injuries due to violence; and two-thirds of sexual assaults and date rapes among teens and college students are alcohol related.
• Withdrawal, depression and emotional/psychological difficulties.
• School delinquency, failure and dropout.
• Alcohol dependence— those who begin drinking at age 15 are four times more likely than those who begin at age 21 to develop alcohol dependence.
• A DWI offense can result in one year in jail, $3,000 fine, loss of driving privileges, legal costs and increased insurance rates. A DWI stays on a person’s record for a minimum of 15 years.
• Acitationfor underage drinking and driving (less than .08) can cost $700 and/or 90 days in jail, result in loss of driving privileges for 30 days, and remain on a person’s record for 15 years. A second violation will result in loss of driving privileges for 180 days.
• Trying topurchase alcoholwith a fake ID can result in loss of driving privileges for at least 90 days and a fine