PYD - Workgroup for Positive Youth Development

PYD - Workgroup for Positive Youth Development Formerly at facebook.com/PositiveYouthDevelopment, the +PYD coalition supports youth in making healthy choices to live alcohol and drug-free lives.

The Workgroup for Positive Youth Development (+PYD), formerly at facebook.com/PositiveYouthDevelopment, supports the youth that live and learn in Oak Park and River Forest, Illinois, in making healthy choices to live alcohol and drug-free lives.

Curious about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on high school drinking? According to national survey data, the same ...
12/30/2024

Curious about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on high school drinking? According to national survey data, the same percentage of USA high school seniors were drinking in 2022 as in 2019. For other current statistics on youth substance use prevention, check out the NSDUH survey results at: samhsa.gov/

While it is important to follow through on predetermined consequences, if you learn your child violated a rule, try to u...
12/23/2024

While it is important to follow through on predetermined consequences, if you learn your child violated a rule, try to understand why. Address the underlying cause rather than resorting to threats and ultimatums. Listen to your child and make sure they understand your goal is to help them develop healthy habits.

Emotional reactions are normal indicators of what a person is feeling or experiencing, from joy to frustration. Acknowle...
12/16/2024

Emotional reactions are normal indicators of what a person is feeling or experiencing, from joy to frustration. Acknowledge and validate your own and your child’s feelings to help them to: be expressive, recognize and feel empathy for the feelings of others, feel accepted and loved unconditionally, and seek help if their emotions become too overwhelming.

Encourage your child to be a positive influence and step in if they think a friend might be tempted to start using drugs...
12/09/2024

Encourage your child to be a positive influence and step in if they think a friend might be tempted to start using drugs or alcohol.

This will protect your child from being drawn in by the wrong crowd, and set them on track as a proactive and independent thinker.

Keep up-to-date on the latest research and drug trends. Good Internet resources for this include: nida.nih.gov, cdc.gov,...
12/02/2024

Keep up-to-date on the latest research and drug trends. Good Internet resources for this include: nida.nih.gov, cdc.gov, samhsa.gov, niaaa.nih.gov, and monitoringthefuture.org. Make sure your child knows that you know the science, and that they should come to you with questions about alcohol and substance use, instead of other teens or social media.

When setting up boundaries, talk about specifics, as opposed to general principles. Keep the rules focused on behaviors,...
11/25/2024

When setting up boundaries, talk about specifics, as opposed to general principles. Keep the rules focused on behaviors, not thoughts, feelings, or attitudes, and reinforce what you want to see, rather than what you don’t want. An example of putting this into action would be: “I want you home by 11:00,” rather than “Don’t stay out late.”

Sometimes parents allow their child to do whatever they want, whenever they want to do it. Maybe they don’t want to deal...
11/18/2024

Sometimes parents allow their child to do whatever they want, whenever they want to do it. Maybe they don’t want to deal with a child’s behavior, or they don’t want their child to be angry with them. Unfortunately, this increases the risk for their child to use drugs and alcohol. Warm and supportive is not the same as overly permissive!

It can sometimes be easier to have good conversations with your child when you are driving in the car, because keeping y...
11/11/2024

It can sometimes be easier to have good conversations with your child when you are driving in the car, because keeping your eyes on the road can help them to feel less threatened by eye contact.

Car conversations can be short and feel casual.

Driving your child and their friends to activities can give you an opportunity to get to know those friends and their household rules while keeping the tone positive.

If your child questions why they shouldn’t drink alcohol, when you both know you struggle with drinking, you can say, “I...
11/04/2024

If your child questions why they shouldn’t drink alcohol, when you both know you struggle with drinking, you can say, “I started drinking when I was young. You have seen how I battle with it now. Because of my drinking, I missed some of the best parts of growing up. Every day, I have to watch out so it doesn’t make me miss out on more, like my job, my relationships, and my time with you. I love you too much to watch you make the same mistakes I have.”

Set reasonable rules. Examples are: setting a curfew; expecting to be notified when plans change. Unreasonable rules an...
10/28/2024

Set reasonable rules. Examples are: setting a curfew; expecting to be notified when plans change. Unreasonable rules and harsh punishments will make your child reluctant to open up. An example of an unreasonable rule and punishment: your teen has an 8 PM bedtime regardless of the day of the week, and will be grounded for a month the first time they come home late.

Families who argue, fight, and treat each other badly, as well as parents who degrade and physically punish their childr...
10/21/2024

Families who argue, fight, and treat each other badly, as well as parents who degrade and physically punish their children have unsupportive relationships. This increases the risk for drug and alcohol use.

If a family relative has an alcohol or substance use issue, it can provide a good opportunity for talking with your teen...
10/14/2024

If a family relative has an alcohol or substance use issue, it can provide a good opportunity for talking with your teen about addiction.

Tell them why it’s a problem and what is happening in a pragmatic way.

Explain how the addiction affects everyone in the family, and what everyone is going to do to support one another through tough times.

Emphasize that it is always possible for a person to make a recovery, and how support helps with this.

Address

105 S Oak Park Avenue
Park Avenue, IL
60302

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17083838005

Website

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