Does your child have at least three non-parent adults they can talk with about things on their mind? In Suburban Ramsey County, our goal is for each child or young person to have at least five adults encouraging and supporting them as they grow up.
Unfortunately, less than half (43%) of young people ages 11-18 have three or more caring adults in their lives.
Most of us can point to people and experiences that influenced us as kids. Most often, these important adults were not formal mentors. They were the coach who made us strive hard, the youth minister who encouraged us, the parent of a friend we could really talk with, or even the lady down the street who always talked with us when we walked the dog.
Help your child develop relationships with other safe adults including teachers, coaches, neighbors, godparents, extended family members and friends. Time invested in creating these relationships can help your child make healthy choices.
Think about which three (or more) adults you'd like your child to have in his court. Then, talk with these adults. Ask them if they are willing to play an important role in your child's life. Do the same for them if they have kids.
The Search Institute, an internationally known organization focused on identifying what kids need to succeed, has done research showing that young people who have three or more caring adults who support them (besides parents or guardians), feel happier and more hopeful, do better in school, and are less likely to rely on drinking, smoking or drugs to feel good or fit in.
We can say "the children are well" when all our kids are connected to safe, stable, nurturing adults.
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