Reposted from the Orange County Register Social media apps and free time are fueling cyberbullying. A combination of handed-down smartphones, summer break and a new wave of shadowy apps makes the next three months especially dangerous for children, warns a nationally...
Sometimes parenting pre-teens and teens can be an “I love you/I love you not” experience. As frustrating as this can be, I encourage parents to (as one wise mom described) try to be that one rock that sticks up in the ocean – always be there in the exact same place,...
Myth: E-cigarettes contain "only harmless water vapor" Fact: Studies are finding that unregulated electronic cigarettes, or e-cigs, may not be as harmless for you after all and they may even cause lung cancer like normal cigarettes. E-cigs use a battery-powered...
Dear Parents, Last night I sat through a heartbreaking presentation by the parent’s of Connor Eckhardt – a 19 year old youth California native – who died after taking his first hit of spice. Please take some time to watch this video and have a meaningful conversation...
Your Teen is Motivated Many parents tell me their adolescent is not motivated. My usual response is that teens are very motivated, but only when they believe it is benefitting them. How we use this developmental stage to benefit everyone is an art form that is not...
SCHS Vol Drug testing Dowload I encourage you to sign up for the voluntary drug testing program (the red flyer). Your teen may suggest otherwise and may even ask “don’t you trust me?” but, as parents, we know it’s not about trust. It’s about giving our child a...
While most San Clemente youth make the choice to not use alcohol or illegal substances, there is problematic substance use among youth and adults in San Clemente. Of course, the substance abuse epidemic is not unique to San Clemente but we should all be aware that our...
If your child goes to a party where alcohol and drugs are being used and one of their friends begins to seizure or show other signs of distress, what would your child do? What would you want them to do?” Because drug and alcohol overdoses are devastating California’s...
Dear Parents and Community Members, Most important tool against addiction is you. Please keep talking to your kids. Two resources below give tips for communicating with your kids at various ages. Most experts agree that discussing your own experimentation or use is...
Dear San Clemente High School Community, Please take some time to discuss the pros and cons of anonymity with a teen this weekend. Tonight might be even better – many of our students are not too happy with how an anonymous post locked them in a classroom for several...