The Middle School Years: A Parents' Guide
For ALL PARENTS of Children in Grades 5-8

About 75 parents attended each of these three sessions in Jan and early Feb. If you missed it, want to share it with a friend or spouse, or simply want more information, you'll find it here.
Session Notes, Video, Additional Resources, and Facilitator BLOGs are available! Click on the topic below.
- Resilience: Develop and Nurture Your Child's Inner Self
- Connecting with Your Teen: Simple Strategies
- Family Values: Relationships and Discipline
This series was sponsored by The Buchanan Fund of United Way. Hosted by School Districts 65 & 67.
Calendar of Events
February 2010
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A School District #67 APT Sponsored Program
Risky Business : Tweens and the Social Scene, for DADS & their 5th-8th graders -
02/27/10
March 2010
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A Loyola Academy Sponsored Program
Internet Safety, Managing Your Online Identity with Anastasia Goodstein -
3/3/10
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3/13/10
Risky Business : Tweens and the Social Scene
A School District #67 APT Sponsored Program
All Parents Welcome
For DADS and their children in grades 5-8
Saturday, February 27
9:00 to 11:00 am, place tbd
Have breakfast and discuss what is going on socially for your tween with The Honorable Christopher Stride and CROYA’s Jean Odwazny. They will offer you insight and advice to keep you informed and ahead of the game!
For more information, contact Liz Staunton, School District #67 APT Parent Awareness: lizstaunton@comcast.net
Peer Pressure & Underage Drinking: The Inside Scoop
For parents of 6th through 9th graders
Tuesday, April 13, 7-8:30 PM
Lake Forest Hospital Health Education Center
Be in the know and understand how to deal with the social pressures of drinking that teens and parents in our community face. Learn the tricks of "their" trade and how you can keep your child alcohol-free. Teach them how not to cave in to the pressure they face.
Free program. No registration necessary. Please join us for this important topic.
Red Ribbon Week "Talking Tips" - Continue the Conversations!
You've seen the red ribbons around the community and at school. Perhaps your child has asked about their significance. Use this opportunity to talk to your child, in an age appropriate way, about why drugs are dangerous and why you want your kids to remain alcohol and drug-free. Share your values! Parents are the most powerful influence in their children's lives! For age appropriate "talking tips"... Click Here Or download LEAD's Brochure Let the Conversations Begin!
LEAD’s "Top Picks" Reading List 2009

I Just Want My Kids To Be Happy! Why You Shouldn't Say It, Why You Shouldn't Think It, What You Should Embrace Instead
A 2008 Mom's Choice Award winner!
Dr. Cooper explores why our efforts to raise happy children can backfire and what parents should do to ensure their children lead authentically happy and fulfilling lives.
Just Because It Isn't Wrong Doesn’t Make It Right
By Barbara Coloroso Keynote Speaker at LEAD's Parent University March 13, 2010 An excellent book on teaching children ethical behavior. Coloroso describes what ethical behavior is and isn’t.

Parents Underestimate Teens Access to Prescription Drugs
Parents of teenagers overestimate how easy it is for teens to buy cigarettes, according to a recent national telephone survey. Thirty-nine percent of parents said that cigarettes are the easiest for teens to buy, compared to one-fourth of teens.
In contrast, parents underestimate how easy it is for teens to buy beer and prescription drugs. Fifteen percent of teens say that beer is the easiest for them to buy and 19 percent cite prescription drugs as the easiest. Only 9 percent and 8 percent, respectively, of parents said that these drugs were the easiest for teens to buy.
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