QUESTION EVERYTHING.
HERE’S THE TOP 5 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ELEPHANT IS IN THE ROOM CAMPAIGN.
1WHAT IS THE ELEPHANT IS IN THE ROOM CAMPAIGN?
The Elephant is in the Room is a marketing campaign designed by parents
for parents to help them prevent underage drinking before it starts.
2WHERE CAN I FIND CAMPAIGN MATERIALS?
The Elephant is in the Room campaign materials are displayed in school,
on social media, through email, text messages, and here on our website!
3WHY SHOULD I PAY ATTENTION TO THE CAMPAIGN?
Because you love your children and want to keep them safe. The Elephant is
in the Room is like a good friend that’s full of great advice, helpful resources,
and tips on how to keep your teen from drinking alcohol underage.
4IS THE CAMPAIGN IN SCHOOLS NATIONWIDE?
Nope. The Elephant is in the Room campaign is only offered in a couple
schools in southern Illinois. The people responsible for creating the materials
live here, work here, and know what it’s like to be a parent because well, we
are parents.
5IS THIS NECESSARY? MY KID IS TOO YOUNG TO THINK ABOUT DRINKING.
Studies show that kids start experimenting with alcohol as early as age 12, so yes, the campaign materials and messages are an invaluable resource for parents who want to keep their kids safe and healthy.
TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT THE RISKS OF UNDERAGE DRINKING, AND MAKE SURE THEY KNOW THEY'LL GET CAUGHT IF THEY TRY IT.
The key to keeping promises starts with establishing a strong bond with your child. As they get older, you must be able to trust them to make smart decisions (like refusing to drink alcohol underage or taking part in other risky behaviors). Here are some tips to help you build a stronger foundation of trust with your child:
- Provide a Safe Space. Your child requires space to share things openly with you. This can happen at the dinner table or while chauffeuring them around. Using comfortable situations to have frequent open conversations will help them trust that they can tell you what’s really happening and ask for help when they need it.
- Be an Intentional Listener. All human beings have a desire to be heard, especially teens. If teens do not feel heard, they may shut down and the opportunity to build trust disappears. Postpone your agendas and tune into your teenager’s world. This includes hearing their pain and trying to understand their perspectives even if you do not agree with them. By being an intentional listener, you’re letting your child know that you are invested in their world and there to support them.
- Provide Opportunities. Give your child a certain amount of autonomy to make their own decisions. This allows them to grow, develop, and use the knowledge they have. While it may be hard to watch your child make decisions differently than you would, giving them the room to learn from those decisions and supporting them remains key to building confidence and trust.
