Dear Friends in Christ -
The front page of today's Connecticut Post bore sobering news. In Connecticut, teens do more drinking and drugs than, on average, kids in other places in the country. They also attempt suicide more often. That news is sobering, but not altogether surprising. We know all too well that life is stressful here. Unfortunately our teens are not immune from those stresses.
But there's good news, too. Kids with loving, supportive families are 30 percent less likely to drink, binge drink, have sex or be depressed. Wow! That's an insurance policy that money can't buy!
Summer is often the time when families take a step back and relax. It's also a time when we hit the reset button and make plans for the next year. As you spend some time reflecting on the past school year and planning for the next, consider how you can get more time together as a family. Perhaps limiting kids to one sport at a time. Perhaps increasing the number of meals you have together each week as a family. Invite your kids to do things with you (even 'boring' things like going to the grocery store) and let them know that you are committed to spending time with them.
Now is the time. These are the days. And the investment you make in "family time" will pay dividends for years to come.
Faithfully going off to spend time with my kids!
Janet+
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