Safe Homes FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Safe Homes Parent Network
Q. What makes the Safe Homes Parent Network unique?
A. Safe Homes is unique in that it helps bring together parents who share a desire to help their children enjoy their teen years drug and alcohol free. By signing a pledge to supervise get-togethers and prohibit the use of drugs and underage drinking, parents are making an important statement to their own children about their values, as well as participating in a network of parents in whom other parents can have confidence.
Q. If I sign the Pledge, does it mean I can’t have alcohol in my home?
A. The Pledge states you will not allow anyone underage to have alcohol in your home or on your property. If you are over 21, we encourage you to be a good role model and hold children responsible for obeying the law regarding tobacco and no use of illegal drugs.
Q. But I trust my children completely. Why would I need to be involved?
A. One of the valuable aspects of the program is that it provides information for each family about the rules and limits set by the other families with whom their children interact. This can make it easier to ensure that your own child will enjoy social events without being put in uncomfortable positions because of a lack of parental supervision. In addition, it can help children, who might feel self-conscious that perhaps their parents are stricter than others, to know that many other parents have the same rules!
Q. I can't imagine that anyone would permit their children and their friends to drink and use drugs at parties. Why is signing a pledge needed when this seems so obvious?
A. Parents who choose to sign are making a commitment to be active in their supervision as well as in their communication with their teens, which sends a message about the importance they attach to this issue to their own children as well as to the community. The goal is, in fact, to strengthen the idea of drug and alcohol free teens as a norm that is supported by everyone in our community.
Q. What will happen if I join the pledge and something happens--the kids sneak it in or my child drinks at someone
else's house?
A. If our children do break the rules, we will be on much stronger grounds with them in discussing their behavior and its consequences if we have stated our position clearly ahead of time. We will also have a support network of parents available to us to help us.
Q. What are the benefits of parents signing the Safe Homes Pledge??
A. The benefits are: Positive parental influence on their children/adolescents, the promotion of parents supporting parents; challenging the attitude among youth that underage use of alcohol is normal behavior; challenging the attitude among parents that underage use of alcohol is normal behavior; challenging the attitude among the community that underage use of alcohol is normal behavior; strengthening communication among parents and their children/adolescents; and creating positive cultural change in our community surrounding these issues.