Recipe Book - Taupo District Council

Taupö District Safe Community
7. PARENT PACK
Following a very successful introduction of a Parent Pack (Tool for parents
of teenagers) in Taupö some years ago, evaluation by ALAC, Parents, and
Community Development Team of the Taupö District Council, revealed
shortcomings in the existing publication.
The Project Manager – Safe Communities sourced similar type booklets
from other neighbouring cities, towns, and World Health Organisation
accredited TLA’s.
A comprehensive spread sheet of contents from some 10 other parent
packs, revealed strengths and weaknesses, and a new booklet aimed at
Taupö Safe District Project was drafted.
Because of impending changes to the law on Driving Licence Age, Road
Rules in relation to Boy Racers, and the Law Commission submissions
on alcohol, as it relates to minors, purchase age, drink driving, violence,
advertising, costs, and inherent damage, the binge drinking culture
displayed by the youth of today, possibly bringing law changes later in the
year, these subjects were purposely left out of the booklet. However we aim
to re-print again within 2 years, once the law changes are in place.
These booklets are full of handy hints to parents on subjects of bullying,
school suspensions, internet safety, graffiti, drug and alcohol awareness,
parties, smoking, safe sex, depressions, self esteem, local resources, legal
age limits, and “what the teenager wants vs what the parent wants”.
What Teenagers Want
from their Parents...
“If we have done
something wrong tell
us off, but don’t go on
about it for hours.”
“Friendships are
important to us, please
don’t judge our friends
by the way they dress.”
“Remember what it’s
like to be a teenager,
be interested in our
lives, but please
respect our privacy.”
“Treat us as you would
like to be treated.”
“Remember the good
things about and not
just the bad.”
“Trust us, don’t always
expect the worst.”
“Don’t ask us questions
when you don’t want
to know the answers.”
“Tell us when you are
pleased with us about
something - it
encourages us to go on
behaving like that.”
“If you want us to do
something tell us the
reason, not just
because ‘you said so’.”
“Don’t try to protect us
from every
consequence, we will
learn from our
mistakes.”
“Be honest about
yourself, don’t say one
thing and act in a
different way.”
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They will be posted out early in the first term of 2010 to all Year 9 students (3rd
Form) at all relevant schools in the Taupö Safe District. (copy in appendix)
We will conduct an evaluation by questionnaire sometime later in the year
before we re-print with the updated laws.
However, from past experiences the Community fully support the reintroduction
of this worthy project, funded from Taupö District Council,
and thoroughly endorsed by our Taupö Safe District Project Plan Steering
Committee as fitting methodology for prevention of injury, and the safety of
our young adults.
“If you make a mistake,
admit it. If you do
something wrong,
apologise - then
we will too.”
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