Phones help us do a lot. They keep us connected, organized and entertained. They help with homework, directions, schedules, recipes, work and staying in touch with the people we care about. But sometimes being connected to everything can make it harder to connect with the people sitting right beside us. A notification comes through during dinner. Someone checks a text. Another person starts scrolling. Before long, everyone may be together—but everyone's attention is somewhere else.
Topics: positive parenting, safe homes smart parties, underage drinking, summer, Youth Prevention, teen party safety, summer safety, parenting teens
Family dinner sounds wonderful in theory. Then real life happens. Someone has soccer practice. Another child has homework. A parent gets home late from work. One person wants tacos, another refuses to eat anything except chicken nuggets—and somehow it's already 7:30 p.m. If that sounds familiar, you're not doing family dinner wrong. In fact, family meals don't have to look perfect to create meaningful opportunities for connection. As we look ahead to Family Day on September 28, Informed Families encourages families to spend more intentional time eating, talking and connecting together. And that can look different for every family.
Topics: positive parenting, safe homes smart parties, underage drinking, summer, Youth Prevention, teen party safety, summer safety, parenting teens
On Monday, September 28, 2026, families across the country will celebrate Family Day...a reminder that some of the most meaningful opportunities to connect with our children happen during ordinary moments together.
Topics: positive parenting, safe homes smart parties, underage drinking, summer, Youth Prevention, teen party safety, summer safety, parenting teens
The official 2026 Red Ribbon Week® theme, “Make A Difference. Be A Hero. Stay Drug Free.™,” encourages young people to recognize that choosing a healthy, drug-free lifestyle is an act of courage, leadership, and positive influence. Created by Ava Tackett, a student at Griswold Middle School in Connecticut, the theme reminds students that heroes are not limited to fictional characters, celebrities, or athletes. They can be classmates, friends, family members, teachers, and community leaders who make responsible choices and encourage others to do the same.
Topics: positive parenting, safe homes smart parties, underage drinking, summer, Youth Prevention, teen party safety, summer safety, parenting teens
Summer gives kids and teens more freedom, more downtime, and more chances to get together with friends. That can be a great thing. Pool parties, sleepovers, beach days, birthdays, and backyard hangouts are all part of making memories.
But before you say yes to the next invitation, it is worth taking a quick pause.
Topics: positive parenting, safe homes smart parties, underage drinking, summer, Youth Prevention, teen party safety, summer safety, parenting teens
ZYN is back in the headlines, and this time, the news may sound confusing for parents.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently allowed specific ZYN nicotine pouch products to be marketed with a reduced-risk claim for adults who smoke cigarettes and completely switch to ZYN. In simple terms, the FDA is allowing certain messaging that says switching from cigarettes to these specific nicotine pouches may lower the risk of certain smoking-related diseases.
Topics: positive parenting, parent peer group, summer, Family Table Time, Nicotine, Parenting, Youth Prevention, Teen Health
Digital peer pressure can show up in group chats, messages, and online conversations long before kids are faced with a risky choice in person. This blog shares a simple “Group Chat Test” parents can teach their children to help them pause, think, and make safer decisions when online pressure starts to feel uncomfortable.
Topics: positive parenting, parent peer group, summer, Family Table Time
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Every parent hopes their child would call them if they were in an unsafe situation. But the real question is: have we made it clear that they can? Not just when everything is fine. Not just when they followed the rules. Not just when the conversation is easy.
Topics: positive parenting, parent peer group, summer, Family Table Time
As families head into summer, it is a good time for parents and caregivers to understand what today’s youth are seeing, hearing, and potentially being offered when it comes to alcohol, vaping, THC products, and other substances.
Topics: positive parenting, family bonding, parent peer group, summer, family dinner, Family Table Time
Mental Health Awareness Month and National Prevention Week are important reminders that prevention starts with connection. Learn approachable ways parents, caregivers, and trusted adults can talk with teens about stress, anxiety, peer pressure, and emotional wellbeing.
Topics: positive parenting, family bonding, parent peer group, summer, family dinner, Family Table Time
