The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse has identified 12 "active parenting" activities.  The study says that if a parents does 10 out of 12 there is a much better chance of their child growing up right.  These 12 are:

Monitor what your kids are watching on TV

                        Monitor your kids use of the internet

                        Put restrictions on CDs they buy

                        Know where your kids are after school and during weekends

                        Have an adult present when the teen comes home from school

                        Be told the truth about your teenager's whereabouts and activity

                        Be aware of your teenager's academic performance

                        Imposing and enforcing a curfew

                        Pre-determined, known response to substance abuse

                        Eat dinner with your teen six or seven nights a week

                        Turn the TV off during dinner

                        Assign regular chores for your teen

The youth ministry can sponsor "Active Parenting Classes" as a resource to your parents.  These 12 can be combined into six classes adding the topic of family prayer and Bible reading.  Through the use of video, special speakers, your senior pastor and you, you can offer great classes for the parents in your congregation as well as your commmunity.

The six classes can be divided into these sessions:

1.         Teaching Media Discernment to Children/Teens (not set title).  The "active parenting" activities that this covers are:  Monitor what your kids are watching on TV; Monitor your kids use of the internet; Put restrictions on CDs they buy; Turn the TV off during dinner.  There are many video/dvd series available on this topic. 

2.         Youth Whereabouts (not set title).  The "active parenting" activities that this covers are:  Know where your kids are after school and during weekends; Have an adult present when the teen comes home from school; Be told the truth about your teenager's whereabouts; Imposing and enforcing a curfew; Eat dinner with your teen six or seven nights a week; Assign regular chores for your teen.  Find one of those great parents who has grown children who are still living great lives to be your speaker so he/she can share specifics from what they actually did. 

3.         Substance Abuse (not set title).  The "active parenting" activities that this covers is:  Pre-determined, known response to substance abuse.  Bring in a speaker from the high school or from a substance abuse ministry to share what they are an expert in to your parents.

4.         Communication Lines with Youth (not set title).  The "active parenting" activities that this covers are:  Be told the truth about your teenager's whereabouts and activity; Eat dinner with your teen six or seven nights a week. 

5.         Academic Awareness (not set title).  The "active parenting" activities that this covers is:  Be aware of your teenager's academic performance.  Because of the internet many schools have even more ways to communicate with parents.  Bring in a speaker from your school system to explain all these methods.  You would be surprised at how many parents did not realize these tools are available and you know parents worry about their teen's academic performance.

6.         Family Prayer and Bible Reading (not set title).  The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse did not include any faith practices on their list but you know that these are crucial to a teen's growth.  Find a speaker who has tons of creative ways for families to more readily adopt these habits.