Keeping Teens Drug & Alcohol Free in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Highland Park, Highwood & Riverwoods
May 2022
In this issue: Healthy Habits to Boost Self-Esteem | After Prom Events | Tips for Teen Parties | "You Got This!" Tips from Teens | Video: Mental Health Awareness Month | 60 Second Conversation Starter | CTAD Annual Report
For High School, Middle School & Elementary School Families
Healthy Habits to Boost
Self-Esteem for Kids
by Coach Danny Jesselson

As a Life Coach in Highland Park, Highwood and surrounding areas, I am committed to mentoring and coaching students to become positive role models and reach their fullest potential. In honor of National Self-Esteem Month, here are six tips to empower kids and help them develop their self-confidence:
 
  1. Don’t get upset about mistakes - Assist kids to see that everyone makes mistakes. The important thing is to learn from them.
  2. Allow kids to fail - Teach kids that “trial and error” are how people learn and grow. Failure often leads to more significant effort. Ultimately, by overcoming adversity, children will feel a sense of self-achievement.
  3. Praise perseverance - Encourage your child not to give up after the first setback. Help them look for a solution so they don’t quit and continue to persist and achieve. A BIG life skill!
  4. Celebrate effort - Acknowledging achievements is terrific, but emphasizing their actions is more critical. It’s the effort that brings on growth and development.
  5. Embrace imperfection - What kids learn on TV, the internet, YouTube, etc., often does not reflect reality. For example, the belief that everyone is happy all the time is disastrous to their self-esteem. Be realistic and help kids understand what is real and what is pretend.
  6. Set them up for success - Help your kids find activities where they will be successful and comfortable. Challenges are great, but a well-rounded variety of activities help kids learn and live a more balanced life.
 
Coach Danny “Coach J” Jesselson
Life coaches are a non-judgmental third party dedicated to arming your child with the right tools, skills and strategies to help them stay focused and achieve their goals. A life coach can help when your child feels stuck, doesn’t quite seem like themselves or lets “comparison-itis” or perfectionism rule their life.
For High School Families
DHS & HPHS May 21 Prom and After Prom Events
Celebrating its 15th successful year, Deerfield Parent Network's After Party offers DHS seniors and their dates a safe, substance-free after prom celebration, which includes interactive inflatables, caricature art, casino games, psychics, raffles, and decadent desserts.

Generous donations from Deerfield High School parents and the local community allow all seniors to attend for FREE. Support the After Party and help give parents the peace of mind that their teens are safe on prom night.
The inaugural HPHS AfterProm promises to be an evening of safe, supervised excitement for all HPHS seniors and their dates. Held at Pinstripes in Northbrook, the After Prom celebration includes bowling, bocce, inflatable ax throwing, caricature art, s'mores, savory late night bites, raffles and much more!

Generous donations from Highland Park High School parents and the local community allow all seniors to attend for FREE. Support the AfterProm so parents can enjoy a worry-free night.

Prom and AfterProm FAQs answers parents' questions about the evening's main event and the exciting AfterProm party.
For High School & Middle School Families
When it comes to teen or tween parties, consider taking the extra step of contacting parents of your guests -- most will be relieved you did! Parents who share a common concern can work together to encourage safe celebrations. If you offer to host an after party and/or sleepover, this sample host parent email sets the right tone in communicating your expectations to parents of invited guests. CTAD's Teen Parties fact sheet offers great tips for both hosting and attending parties.
For High School Families
You Got This!
Teens Who Follow Their Dreams

The final You Got This! poster celebrates DHS and HPHS students who set goals to follow their dreams. They avoid alcohol and marijuana to perform their best.
For ideas to stay motivated, DHS & HPHS students share these goal setting tips.

For all the tips shared by teens on the You Got This! posters over the past year, check out Tips for Teens from Teens. Topics include:

You Got This! public service announcements (PSAs) at Deerfield High School and Highland Park High School appear via posters, video announcements, hallway monitors and on t-shirts worn by staff.
For All Community Members
Mental Health Awareness Month
Tips and Resources
Do you know someone who might suffer from depression, anxiety or traumatic stress? This short video describes the symptoms, suggests concrete actions for self-care and offers helpful resources. Early intervention is always the best intervention.

For High School, Middle School & Elementary School Families
Instilling Confidence in Your Child

It's natural for parents to want to jump in and "fix" a situation when something doesn't go their child's way or to shower them with praise when they worry they're not good enough. Resist the urge and instead:

  1. Identify specific improvements -- Give tangible suggestions on ways they can achieve a personal goal in purposeful, attainable steps. Along the way, they'll learn to embrace the process and be proud of their own efforts.
  2. Let children problem-solve on their own -- Rather than lead the effort toward a solution, serve as a gentle guide. As a result, they learn to be their own "super hero" rather than waiting for a parent to swoop in to save the day.
  3. Express unconditional love -- True self-esteem is based in unconditional love, which gives children the confidence to believe in their ability to succeed on their own. It's important for children to know that you value them, no strings attached, and if they fail, it has no bearing on how much you value and love them.

It's not one 60-minute conversation.
It's 60 one-minute conversations.
For All Community Members
CTAD Year in Review

Check out CTAD's 2021 Annual Report for a colorful compilation of photos, accomplishments and priorities. CTAD's Delta high school students were the most active out in the community while adult volunteers were steadfast in their (mostly virtual) efforts. Thank you to the over 100 volunteers and 30 community organizations who work together to make it all possible.

To read about all of CTAD's extraordinary volunteers, check out our past volunteer spotlights.
Be a part of our amazing CTAD team. Will you consider contributing your time, creativity, unique skills, or a donation? Learn how to make a difference by joining one of our amazing committees!
Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Text-a-Tip: 24/7 anonymous support for students who need help for themselves or a friend. To connect with a trained counselor, download the app "Lake County Help" in the Apple Store or Google Play. You can also text the code "224HELP" or "224AYUDAME" to 844-823-LEAD (5323).
Community - The Anti-Drug (CTAD) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (EIN 451631475). Our coalition of volunteers and community organizations strive to reduce alcohol, marijuana and other drug use among youth in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Highland Park, Highwood and Riverwoods, Illinois. Funding is generously provided by the Healthcare Foundation of Highland Park, other foundations/organizations, individual donors and a Drug Free Communities grant from the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The views, opinions and content of this publication are those of the authors and contributors and do not necessarily reflect our funders' views, opinions or policies.

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