Moms Q & A: Keeping Teens Busy and Safe Year Round

Sabrina Ross is a single mother raising two sons in Danbury, where she has lived almost her entire life. Among the many changes she has seen in her lifetime have been a loss of free activities for teens and tweens. “There used to be basketball courts at Roger's Park, now the only place he can get a game is over on Beaver Brook, and that isn't an appropriate or safe place for him to be hanging out.”

 According to Ross, “Everything has a membership fee, even on the weekends. Kids become mall rats because it's free. I love the diversity in Danbury but there needs to be more for older kids to do. The public library, the Y, there are so many things for younger kids, but there is nothing for tweens and teens.”

 Besides activities, Ross, a working mom, also worries about role models in the lives of her sons. “It took two years for my son to get a mentor. I am a single mom, and he needs men in his life. It doesn't matter what race. I still believe in the village. I am a single mom, I can teach him to be a good person, but I cannot teach him to be a man. He needs mentors.”

 PTO President at Shelter Rock, Danyelle Custodio is the mother of three children, two of whom are entering the “tween” years. “There is so much to do in Danbury, especially at the high school. There is DECA (a business club to develop any idea you can think of), the Chess Club, an environmental club, year book committee, photography, take up an instrument or march in the band.”

 There may be plenty of things to do in Danbury, but some students feel at a loss to discover what really moves them. For teens who know their passion, life seems as simple as can be, but for those who feel adrift and disconnected, it may feel harder to get involved in Clubs.

 One thing is for sure, research shows that nothing good will come out of hanging out at the mall.

 ”Alcohol abuse, drug use and boredom have been linked by researchers and physicians for quite some time. The National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse VIII: Teens and Parents has determined that teenagers are more likely to drink, smoke, and use drugs if they are frequently bored, under a lot of stress, or have unusually large amounts of spending money given to them each week.

According to one recent study conducted by this group, teenage substance abuse continues to be on the rise:

“Teens are 50 percent more likely to drink, smoke, get drunk, and use drugs out of boredom.

Approximately 52 percent of teenagers in the United States regularly use drugs or alcohol simply because they are bored.

The average age of first use is 12 for alcohol and 13 for drugs.

Please add your own thoughts, comments and links to the Comment section below.

Danbury High School Course Guide

Bored Teens More Likely to Drink, Take Drugs

Urban Dictionary: Bored Teenagers

Teen Boredom, Destructive Behavior

Where's the Passion? Helping your teen find it, is a gift that lasts a lifetime.

Raising Amazing Boys , Helping them find role models

Strategies for Keeping Teen Safe