B-PEN (Brookline Parent Education Network) helps parents navigate the social, emotional and developmental challenges affecting today’s teens and pre-teens – common challenges that can lead to risky behavior. An outreach initiative that collaborates with Brookline school administrators and PTO’s, the organization’s goals are to facilitate parent connections:
* with other parents,
* with school and town resources, and
* with helpful information via written/electronic materials on a wide variety of
teen concerns.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON B-PEN, CLICK HERE.
* with other parents,
* with school and town resources, and
* with helpful information via written/electronic materials on a wide variety of
teen concerns.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON B-PEN, CLICK HERE.
N E W S N E W S N E W S
FALL 2014
THE BUZZ AROUND E-CIGARETTES
Somewhere around middle school, curious kids are often likely to try their first cigarette. Now that electronic cigarettes are becoming the rage, there are even more opportunities for trying that first puff. The battery-powered vaporizers, which heat up a liquid (with or without nicotine) to create a fine mist rather than smoke, are easily available to all ages at convenience stores and gas stations, and the contents of these flavored liquids are almost entirely unregulated. Parents, the Town of Brookline Health Department, and students themselves are concerned. Check out the buzz about e-cigs and what’s being done to address the issue in this column from the latest Brookline TAB. And for more information on e-cigs, check out the “Tobacco” page at www.B-PEN.org.
B-PEN INITIATES ADOPTED PARENT NETWORK FOR BROOKLINE HIGH FAMILIES
Parents of adoptees often discover they face a unique set of challenges during the teen years. B-PEN and Family Resource Advocate Hope Schroy, LICSW are offering adopted parents a free, confidential and safe environment to meet one another and share concerns as well as strategies and resources. This Parent Network is being offered in response to numerous requests over the past few years. This initial meeting December 3 offered an opportunity to come together, discover the needs of the group, and plan possible future gatherings. Feel free to contact Hope Schroy [email protected] or June Harris [email protected] with any ideas, concerns or topics you would like to see addressed in future meetings.
The Family Resource Advocate position is supported by a Brookline Community Foundation grant. To learn more about the Brookline Community Foundation visit www.brooklinecommunity.org.
B-PEN RAISES INITIATIVES FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH
During Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, B-PEN urged parents to keep the conversation about healthy relationships ongoing. With all kinds of media presenting mixed messages, children (of all ages) need reinforcement on issues of healthy self-esteem and sexual decision-making. Don’t ignore the warning signs of relationship abuse, and remember the importance of being a positive role model.
KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS
One of the most challenging aspects of adolescence is navigating relationships and sexual decision-making. In Brookline, as in many communities across the country, teen relationship abuse is on the rise, whether it is physical, emotional or psychological. What are the warning signs that your teen or your teen’s friend might be in an unhealthy relationship? And how should parents respond? For confidential guidance, call Brookline’s Domestic Violence Advocate Doreen Gallagher at 617-730-2713. Also visit the web page at www.B-PEN.org on “Healthy Relationships” for a wealth of information and resources.
FALL 2014
THE BUZZ AROUND E-CIGARETTES
Somewhere around middle school, curious kids are often likely to try their first cigarette. Now that electronic cigarettes are becoming the rage, there are even more opportunities for trying that first puff. The battery-powered vaporizers, which heat up a liquid (with or without nicotine) to create a fine mist rather than smoke, are easily available to all ages at convenience stores and gas stations, and the contents of these flavored liquids are almost entirely unregulated. Parents, the Town of Brookline Health Department, and students themselves are concerned. Check out the buzz about e-cigs and what’s being done to address the issue in this column from the latest Brookline TAB. And for more information on e-cigs, check out the “Tobacco” page at www.B-PEN.org.
B-PEN INITIATES ADOPTED PARENT NETWORK FOR BROOKLINE HIGH FAMILIES
Parents of adoptees often discover they face a unique set of challenges during the teen years. B-PEN and Family Resource Advocate Hope Schroy, LICSW are offering adopted parents a free, confidential and safe environment to meet one another and share concerns as well as strategies and resources. This Parent Network is being offered in response to numerous requests over the past few years. This initial meeting December 3 offered an opportunity to come together, discover the needs of the group, and plan possible future gatherings. Feel free to contact Hope Schroy [email protected] or June Harris [email protected] with any ideas, concerns or topics you would like to see addressed in future meetings.
The Family Resource Advocate position is supported by a Brookline Community Foundation grant. To learn more about the Brookline Community Foundation visit www.brooklinecommunity.org.
B-PEN RAISES INITIATIVES FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH
During Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, B-PEN urged parents to keep the conversation about healthy relationships ongoing. With all kinds of media presenting mixed messages, children (of all ages) need reinforcement on issues of healthy self-esteem and sexual decision-making. Don’t ignore the warning signs of relationship abuse, and remember the importance of being a positive role model.
KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS
One of the most challenging aspects of adolescence is navigating relationships and sexual decision-making. In Brookline, as in many communities across the country, teen relationship abuse is on the rise, whether it is physical, emotional or psychological. What are the warning signs that your teen or your teen’s friend might be in an unhealthy relationship? And how should parents respond? For confidential guidance, call Brookline’s Domestic Violence Advocate Doreen Gallagher at 617-730-2713. Also visit the web page at www.B-PEN.org on “Healthy Relationships” for a wealth of information and resources.