Home | Contact | Newsletter | RSS | Sitemap
home > news > community updates > start strong bronx, rwjf and parenting expert engage parent bloggers on why middle school matters
START STRONG BRONX, RWJF AND PARENTING EXPERT ENGAGE PARENT BLOGGERS ON WHY MIDDLE SCHOOL MATTERS
On April 26 Start Strong Bronx participated in a luncheon hosted by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Mom Central to educate parenting bloggers and writers about the importance of teaching kids in middle school about healthy relationships to prevent dating abuse. Middle school is a key moment for effective prevention and education. Alexandra Smith, Project Coordinator of Start Strong Bronx presented on a panel alongside Kristin Schubert, Program Officer of Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Dr. Jennifer Hartstein, Child, Adolescent and Family Psychologist and On-Air Contributor on CBS’ The Early Show. Alexandra Smith highlighted the importance of parent involvement and explained that it is never too early for parents to start talking to their children about relationships. She also provided tips and tools for how to be an 'askable parent,' such as:
- Give a clear message. Know your own values about dating and sex before you talk to your child.
- Create time each day to talk to your child about dating and relationships, etc. Try dinner time.
- Know what shows your child likes, what music they listen to, and what web sites they go to.
- Be the parent, not the best friend.
- Talk to them early and often.
Check out some of the blog posts from the participants:
Connect With Your Teens Through Pop Culture and Technology: ‘Build Health Teen Relationships to Prevent Teen Dating Violence,’ by Jennifer Wagner, May 4, 2011
The Shopping Duck: ‘Start Strong: Building Healthy Teen Relationships,’ by Cecile Pryor, May 1 2011
The Dad Trade: ‘Tips: Talking about healthy relationships with your young teen,’ by Stephen Kane, April 26 2011
Here And There: ‘Mom Central and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation work to start…,” by Pat Marsden, May 19, 2011