Watertown, MA ~ Keep Alcohol our of Kids' Hands Watertown Youth Coalition
 
Tips for Parents and Other Caring Adults
 
The Watertown Youth Coalition is committed to supporting adults as they guide children and teens in making healthy decisions. Having a loving, involved, and informed caring adult in his or her life is the best resource a child can have.
 
 
Here are ten ways you can help the child or teen in your life make positive choices:
 
    1. Ask questions! Let your child know that you are interested in his or her life. Use time in the car together to prompt conversations about music, hobbies and sports. Kids are often more comfortable talking in informal situations where they do not have to make eye contact.
    2. Listen to your child! Restate what he or she said, ask a question, or make an observation that shows that you want to make sure that you hear and understand what he or she is saying.
    3. Talk with your child about his or her values and goals, and how they might be affected by unhealthy decisions, such as substance use.
    4. Be sure your child knows what to do if they find themselves around alcohol, cigarettes, or other substances. Help them practice what they will say. Together, make a plan for what they will do.
    5. Make sure not to leave your teenagers home alone when you go out of town. Word gets out quickly and a party can develop even without your child’s consent.
    6. Connect with other parents—getting to know other parents can help you keep aware of what your child is doing.
    7. Always know where your child is, with whom, and what they will be doing. Make sure there is supervision and ensure that no alcohol will be present. Call or ask your child to call you at specific times and agree on when they are to be home.
    8. Keep alcohol in locked cabinets.
    9. Talk to older children about not supplying alcohol or cigarettes to their younger siblings or friends.
    10. Encourage your child to participate in supervised after-school and weekend activities that are challenging and fun, like community service, sports, art, music, drama, or clubs at school.
 
* Additional tips can be downloaded here:
Tip Sheet 1
Tip Sheet 2
Tip Sheet 3
 
Understanding the Laws about Adults, Minors and Serving Alcohol:
 
As an adult and a parent, it is wise for you to know the laws regarding youth and alcohol in order to protect yourself and your children. Drinking alcohol puts youth at greater risk for participating in other risky behaviors like using other drugs, becoming sexually active too early, and attempting suicide.
 
If you are 21 or older, it is against the law to purchase or supply alcohol to youth under 21. It is also illegal to allow them to drink in a place under your control. If you host a party or event at which alcohol is served, you are liable for any actions that take place as a result of a party-goer’s use of alcohol. This applies whether the party-goer is a minor or of legal age.
 
The host is civilly responsible for any injury that occurs as a result of an intoxicated person, from their event, injuring him/her self or another. Injuries may include alcohol poisoning, car accidents and other injuries.
 
Legal penalties include:
 
Civil Liability: There are not limits to the amount of money you can lose if you are sued.
 
Criminal Penalties: Up to 1 year in prison and/or a fine up to $2000.
 
 
Get Involved!
 
The most important way to make a difference in your community is to start within your household by communicating to your children under 21 that it is not acceptable for them to use alcohol and other substances and then locking up alcohol in order to eliminate access within your home.
 
Additionally, the Watertown Youth Coalition is always looking for adult community members who are interested in supporting youth in making healthy choices. Parent and other caring adult members of the Coalition volunteer their time in a variety of ways, including:
 
  • Attending monthly Coalition meetings in order to assist in the planning of Coalition events and projects.
  • Sitting on Coalition subcommittees that oversee the Coalition’s actions in the areas of policy & enforcement, marketing, member recruitment, and alcohol-free events.
  • Providing technical assistance and talents on specific, time-limited projects. The Coalition can always utilize folks’ personal and professional knowledge and skills in areas such as writing, speaking, fundraising, marketing, and/or web-based media.
  • Assisting at specific Coalition-sponsored events.
  • Helping the Coalition raise funds through local business donations.
  • Reaching out and connecting with other parents through telephone calls and/or e-mails.
 
Parent members are encouraged to participate in the Watertown Youth Coalition to whatever extent their schedules allow. Please review our flyer for further information.
 
Parents are the experts on their children, so it is important that their voices be heard!
 
 
If you would like to get involved or have questions about the Watertown Youth Coalition, please contact Katie Devaney, Community Organizer, at 617-926-3600 ext. 307 or katie_devaney@waysideyouth.org.