Great Resources for Information on Sleep (or Lack of) and It's Effects on Teens

  Thanks to Larry Ferlazzo and his website Websites of the Day, I found some great resources on the amount of sleep young people need. And most importantly, the effects of getting too little sleep. One of the most important things I learned from these resources came on the Infographic found towards the bottom of this resource page. Brains are constantly developing through the first 16-24 years of life and they do most of this while a young person sleeps. So if a young person is not getting enough sleep, then their brain cannot develop as quickly. Interesting! Lots of good stuff to learn and a great reminder to keep the electronics out of the room and have your child get plenty of sleep, even on the weekends and during the summer!

Click here for Sleep resources!

Mixing Alcohol and Energy Drinks Equals Danger!

I likely blogged about this last year, but it is an important reminder for both teenagers and adults. Mixing alcohol and energy drinks (or any caffeine really) can be even more dangerous. For a person drinking drink after drink that contains alcohol, the body is negatively affected as alcohol is basically a poison. At some point, the body will say it has had enough and shut down.....by passing out. However, if that same person is drinking alcohol mixed with energy drinks (Red Bull and vodka for example), the caffeine tricks the body into thinking it is not drunk enough to pass out and not tired enough to pass out. This keeps the person awake and the person likely continues to drink. This gets them even more drunk and could cause them to have complications due to alcohol poisoning, and in some cases cause death. Pretty scary stuff that some of our kids think is just a natural way to drink alcohol. The worst part is that our teens are smaller and more negatively affected by alcohol so mixing of these two types of drinks can have even more damaging or deadly effects. To read more, click on this blog post from DrugFree.org

Two New Sites, Both Great for Local Teens and Their Parents

  A couple of new sites popped up towards the end of 2012 and both are really, really good for our teens in our school district AND their parents. Check them out!

Warren County Standing Together on Prevention (WC STOP): This local group made of educators, law enforcement, leaders, parents, and community members has been working very hard for a couple years now to get drugs and alcohol out of our young peoples hands and bodies so that they can be successful, healthy, and make positive choices as they go through each and every day. They do this and so much more. And the best part is that anyone can be a part of their group, all you need is a passion to educate people in our county and beyond about the dangers affecting our young people. Check out their website and the many resources located across the top of their page. Upcoming meeting date/times are also located near the bottom of their page.

I AM in Control Website for Teens: This website is not just for teens by the way, I think parents and educators can benefit from the information posted as well. Basically a collection of blogs written by teens and adults with advice for teens, this website updates multiple times each week with information and advice for teens. Some of the content is great for teens to read on their own and some would be better for an adult to read and discuss with them. But all of the information is very current and relevant to our teens' lives. As a bonus feature, teens can online chat or call counselors located at Iowa State University and know they are getting professional advice and help on the other side of the line when they connect with them and want to discuss an issue they are struggling with. Great website!

Love and Logic Parenting Class Starting Soon!

Many educators, parents, families, and experts have been talking a lot about Love and Logic ideas when working with children. Well now all of you have an opportunity to hear more about Love and Logic Parenting in a FREE class starting up later this month. I have talked to a few parents that have been through classes on Love and Logic and they come away with many new skills and ideas and are really impressed with how it has affected their parenting and their families. If you want to take part in these upcoming classes, please see the information below. And when you are finished, let us know what you thought by emailing your building counselor. We would love to hear your thoughts and if we should work to get more of these classes and trainings offered. 

 Where: Family Enrichment Center, River Place, 2309 Euclid Ave., Des Moines, IA 50310

 When: Tuesdays 6-7:30 p.m., 6 weeks (Feb. 26th, March 5th, 12th, 26th, April 2nd, 9th) 

Cost: FREE!!!!! 

 To Register: Call 515-725-2682 


 What is Love & Logic?   "Love and Logic" is an evidence-based curriculum with a common-sense approach that provides parents with easy-to-learn skills that create respect, responsibility, and good decision-making in kids. It is based on 4 principles: Logical Consequences with Empathy, Problem-solving, Shared Control, Building Mutual Respect and Self-Esteem. Parents learn simple, effective techniques to help them remain calm and productive. 


 More about Love and Logic....click here!