The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1198314
C-4 Wednesday, Januar y 8, 2020 The Press-Dispatch HOME LIFE TO ADVERTISE: Call: 812-354-8500 Email: ads@pressdispatch.net Visit: 820 E. Poplar Street, Petersburg Deadline: 5 p.m. on Monday Youth First Today by Valerie Dassel, Youth First, Inc. Katiedid vs... by Katiedid Langrock Progression of a winter break Parenting in this era can be over- whelming. There are many opinions and parenting styles that can be ar- gued. However, when we are facing drug and alcohol use among our teenagers, there must be an "all hands on deck" approach. It is a community issue that requires parents and adult mentors to communicate clearly with our teens while understanding both sides of the coin. There are clearly reasons why our teens engage in risky behaviors, and it is important to acknowledge this while at the same time educating them on the severity of the risks. Visit websites such as drugfree.org and youthfirst- inc.org to educate yourself on how to talk to your teen about drug and alco- hol use. The following are some tips to guide substance use conversations with your teen: 1. Ask your teen open-ended ques- tions about the dangers of vaping, drinking and drug use. Use this con- versation to guide discussion around the consequences about the things they care about in the "here and now." Points to bring up include how sub- stance use may affect their relation- ships and reputation. These are things they do not feel invincible about. They may do something that is embarrass- ing and have to deal with the social consequences at school on Monday morning. They may do something that they regret and consequently hurt a re- lationship or friendship. It is also help- ful to aid in connecting their athletics and academics to substance abuse. If they are tired and hungover on the weekends, they will not feel like stud- ying or practicing. 2. Be open with them about sub- stance abuse issues in their family. Ac- cording to the Genetics Science Learn- ing Center of Utah, scientists estimate that a person's genetics account for 40 - 60 % of their risk of developing an ad- diction. Sharing family history and sto- ries aids in the development of deci- sion-making based on risks specific to them. 3. In addition to genetics, individ- uals who suffer from mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, etc. are at a higher risk to abuse substances. The website dualdiagnosis.com is a good resource to help teens connect their emotional struggles to how they may self medi- cate with substance use. 4. Clearly share your expectations and the consequences they will re- ceive at home if they are found to be drinking, vaping, smoking or using drugs. It is important to create a rela- tionship that allows the teen to share their struggles or experiences while also being aware of the consequences if caught using. Get to know the parents of your teen's friends. Share with them your values and that you do not approve of them drinking, smoking/vaping or us- ing drugs. There are parents who mis- takenly feel they are protecting teens by allowing them to drink or use sub- stances under their supervision, as they feel it is a safer alternative. Developmentally, teens are begin- ning to individuate from their parents, which gives them the sense that they can make their own decisions and act independently. Educate yourself and others that this concept inadvertently gives them permission to drink/vape/ drug on their own. Remember that we as parents can educate and guide, but our teens will be the ones who make the decisions. It is our responsibility to keep them as safe and as educated as possible. Most importantly, be there when they fall and help them back up. This column is written by Valorie Dassel, LCSW, school social worker for Youth First, Inc., a local nonprofit ded- icated to strengthening youth and fam- ilies. Youth First provides 59 Master's level social workers to 80 schools in 10 Indiana counties. Over 39,000 youth and families per year have access to Youth First's school social work and af- terschool programs that prevent sub- stance abuse, promote healthy behav- iors, and maximize student success. TALKING ABOUT SUBSTANCE USE TO YOUR TEENAGER AIR FRYER CHICKEN BREAST MEALS IN Monica's MINUTES Share your favorite recipe! www.facebook.com/mealsinminutes Monica's Meals in Minutes PO Box 68, Petersburg, IN 47567 mealsinminutes@pressdispatch.net FACEBOOK MAIL EMAIL By Monica Sinclair A fter hearing everyone rave about air fryers, we decided to purchase one right after Christ- mas. It just came in the mail this week, so I was searching for my first recipe to make. I have de- cided January will be the month of air fryer recipes in case you are in the same boat as me and want to try out your new appli- ance. Since I already had two chicken breasts in the freezer, I chose an easy recipe in which I can use those up. Dinner will be ready in less than half an hour. If you have a favorite recipe for the air fryer, please let me know at mealsinminutes@pressdispatch.net. Enjoy! INGREDIENTS • 1 large egg, beaten • 1/4 c. all-purpose flour • 3/4 c. panko bread crumbs • 1/3 c. freshly grated Parmesan • 2 tsp. lemon zest • 1 tsp. dried oregano • 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper • Kosher salt • Freshly ground black pepper • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts DIRECTIONS 1. Place eggs and flour in two separate shallow bowls. In a third shallow bowl, combine panko, Parmesan, lemon zest, oregano, and cayenne. Sea- son with salt and pepper. 2. Working one at a time, dip chicken into flour, then eggs, and then panko mixture, pressing to coat. 3. Place in air fryer basket and cook at 375° for 10 minutes. Flip chicken, and cook for another 5 minutes, until coating is golden and chicken is cooked through. Source: delish.com Winter Break, Minus One Day: I cannot wait for school to be over. The kids need a break. We all need a break. Time to sleep in all morning! Wear pajamas all day! Make cookies! Make hot cocoa! Make memories! Snuggle up in front of movies. In front of the fire. In front of the menorah. In front of the Christmas tree. Play on the tree swing outside. Play board games inside. Connect. Relax. Love. I cannot wait. Winter Break, Day 1: Oh, so we're not sleeping in, huh? That's OK. Let's jump right into cheer! We make chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. We never make breakfast! Look what fun we're having! The kids want to add bananas. No problem! The kids want to add peanut butter chips. Sure thing! The kids want to add whipped cream on top. Um, OK. The kids want to add sprinkles and M&M's on top of that. Yeah, sure, I mean, I guess, because look at me. I'm fun mom. Winter break mom. There are no rules here, just memories! The kids try the pancakes. The kids spit out the pancakes. They don't like the pancakes. They cry that I messed up the pancakes. The pancakes are yucky. Nasty. Gross. Why did I put chocolate chips in them? Chocolate is disgust- ing. Can they please just have oatmeal like usual? Winter Break, Day 2: So much cheer! So much cheer! Let's wake up to the sound of Christ- mas music. Let's have a dance party! We run around the house. We twirl! We spin! We make memories! We run in circles. We eat the day-old pancakes that no one ate yesterday. Apparently, chocolate chips are only good on the second day. Cold pan- cakes are the best pan- cakes. The kids want more! And more! I'm so happy for winter break! We love this time to- gether. We love making fun food together, eat- ing fun food together. We kick the dance par- ty into high gear. More twirling! More jumping! More spinning! Then barfing. Colorful barfing. M&M barf- ing. It looks like the rainbow Christ- mas lights on our tree, as colorful as the rainbow candles next to our me- norah. See? We're still festive. Winter Break, Day 3: OK, we need to get out of the house. But it's raining outside. Perfect time for movie watching. Let's snuggle up and watch Mommy's favorite Christ- mas movies. "The Muppet Christ- mas Carol" ! "Miracle on 34th Street" ! "Home Alone" ! The kids want to know whether "Frozen" is a Christmas mov- ie. No, not really. The kids ask to make a last-minute addendum to their San- ta list. Bring them "Frozen 2." I don't think Santa can do that. "Frozen 2" isn't old enough to be a stocking stuffer. The kids say Santa is power- ful. I say not so powerful as Bob Iger. The kids cry. The kids wail. I turn on "Frozen." Winter Break, Day 4: It's Christmas Eve. The kids asked for snow. All they really wanted was snow. A white Christmas. I found a park an hour away that makes snow. There is sledding! There is tubing! Ice skating! Snowball fights! A snowman-making competi- tion! It's a surprise for the kids. The kids are excited. The kids are over the moon. They haven't had much ex- perience with snow. They put on their hats, their mit- tens. My husband and I smile warmly at each oth- er. This is what winter break is all about. Memo- ries. My youngest puts on her snow pants. It's hot, she cries. Too hot, she cries. We suggest getting into the snow. The snow is cold, we say. The snow is too cold, they cry. It's melting down their backs! It's freezing! Winter Break, Day 5: It's Christmas Day. It's magical. Winter Break, Days 6-10: Holy holly! The cookies were made. The cookies were burnt. The popcorn was popped for "Frozen" on a loop. The pajamas are worn all day, but now the pajamas stink. Did you wash your hair or just run a candy cane through it? The fake tree has caught fire. The Jenga pieces are being used as darts. The days are still raining. I'm losing my mind. These kids have to go back to school! How long is this friggin' mer- rymaking madness going to last? As I write this, there are only three more days to go. But really, it's all about the beautiful memories. Like Katiedid Langrock on Facebook, at http://www.facebook.com/katiedid- humor. LOUIE CAMPBELL Sales Professional lcampbell@patriotonline.com CALL OR TEXT 812-899-6267 @LouieYourCarGuy HWY. 64 W. • PRINCETON "Quite Simply, A Better Experience!" Looking for a Great Deal On Your Next Vehicle?