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March 5, 2013

Port parents form support group to talk about teens

By Dave Rogers Staff Writer

NEWBURYPORT — Peer pressure, dating, potential drug and alcohol use and getting into college are but only a few of the stresses that the average teenager is fretting over on a daily basis. As any parent knows, sometimes the task of navigating a son or daughter through all those potential pitfalls can seem overwhelming at times.

It’s a common enough feeling that parents likely have plenty of stories to share with others. Giving local parents a chance to relay their stories and voice their concerns with other parents is among the goals espoused by “In This Together,” a new parent-led and organized group that will meet monthly starting tomorrow.

All parents are welcome, whether bracing for the teen years, wending your way through them or on the other end and wanting to support others with their experience. The group will meet the first Tuesday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Kelley School Youth Center.

The group, aided by Newburyport Youth Services, hopes to create a safe environment for parents to share their struggles and successes with each other. It is an open forum designed for parents to give and receive support regarding challenges of raising teenagers. This group will begin to build support for parents to feel like they can address these issues.

“We hear from parents again and again, that they feel like they are the only ones in town still making rules and following through. We were looking for a way to bring them together,” Newburyport Youth Services director Andrea Egmont said.

Egmont added that Newburyport Youth Services has tried to organize past parent programs, but it became clear parents weren’t interested in classes or lessons but rather to know they weren’t alone.

 

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