Holiday Resolutions

10 Resolutions That Show Your Kids You Care:

1. Teach your children to trust you by seeing you as a role model.

2. Be patient, not just tolerant. Apologize when you make a mistake or do something you regret.

3. Ask teens what they need from you – and do whatever you can to meet those needs.

4. Listen to your teens, a lot. Avoid interrupting.

5. Teach your children about ethics, values and principles they can apply in choices and decision making.

6. Help them discover the feeling of gratitude, not just to say thank you.

7. Keep the promises you make. If you do not keep your word, acknowledge that. Help your teen understand the circumstances or choices that precipitated the change in your plans.

8. Answer your teen’s questions and be consistent. When you notice behavioral changes in them, make yourself available and encourage them to talk about what is going on in their life.

9. Be understanding when they have a difficult time and let them know you will love them no matter what.

10. Be diligent. Have ongoing conversations with your kids about the risks of drugs and alcohol.
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ARCADA Holiday Party

'Tis the season...to wear ugly sweaters :) Actually most of the Christmas attire here is pretty cute but you'll be able to spot the Goodwill variety. Merry Christmas ARCADA and PRC Staff! We want to wish everyone a safe holiday season.

PRCA - News

Great news! The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) has ended its sponsorship relationship with Big Tobacco!

Now is the time to ask the PRCA to replace the US Smokeless Tobacco Company (USSTC) with a healthy sponsor – not another tobacco company - so that they can move closer to the mainstream in sports. Taking big tobacco out of rodeos will make them even more family-friendly.

Many kids admire cowboys and look up to them as role models. The sampling booths, scoreboards, banners, and ads that are part of tobacco sponsorship give young audience members the message that using tobacco is part of being an adult cowboy or rodeo fan. Unfortunately, 14% of 12 to 17 year old boys use smokeless tobacco, and the rates are higher in rural states.

Smokeless tobacco causes deadly and disfiguring cancers, and increases the risk of strokes and fatal heart attacks. Ending the USSTC sponsorship allows the PRCA to be a truly consistent supporter of healthy lifestyles and efforts to reduce cancer rates.

Rodeos are very appealing to children and families, and they are growing in popularity. The PRCA clearly presents profitable sponsorship opportunities to many types of companies that are appropriate for a family-friendly sport like rodeo. Let’s urge the PRCA to reject any new tobacco sponsorship in favor of a more family-friendly sponsor.

Sincerely,

Brian Hutchinson
Director, Grassroots
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids