Coping...or something like it

Hey REALife Parents.

I included in my Parent email two weeks ago that we have started a new series called "Coping...or something like it." I am really excited about this series, and it has already given students an avenue to discuss their issues and the issues that surround them in their schools. We discussed drugs, alcohol, and tobacco this past weekend, and during our small groups the students had so much to say about just how prevalent these substances are all around them. This is a serious topic, and I can tell you from the stories that I've heard that our students need guidance and accountability. They need to hear from you just how important it is to say "no" to these things. They need help from all of us adults so that they can constantly hear how damaging these substances can be for their health and their future. And most importantly, they need our guidance to see that Jesus is the only thing that will fill any void that they have in their life, and that drugs and alcohol are only temporary solutions.

Talk to your son or daughter. Ask them directly if they are using these substances, and if they are please show them love and grace as you help them through quitting. And know that even if you are not talking to them about it, their friends and peers at school are talking to them about it. Hopefully we can have the voice of truth that they listen to in a world dominated by lies.

Please contact me if you need any additional resources in this area, or you may also contact our Meck Counselor, Kelly, at kstilwell@mecklenburg.org for further counseling.

Yet another Warning

Recenlty I expressed my concern about the website formspringme (seen below), but another website has come to my attention lately that you need to know about. Chatroulette (http://www.chatroulette.com/) is growing in popularity and there are some real dangers with this site. This site works off of web cams and microphones, and you pretty much just click in and your connected with a random stranger. Like Formspringme, the site is completely anonymous, allowing the possibility for your son or daughter to be connected with anybody out there regardless of age and without any safety filter. This article explains a lot (http://tinyurl.com/yhpm8ak) but the friends that I know that have tried this site have seen naked people on the other end on several occasions. This is bad news.