Story posted Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Monica Patel says her dad has been a perfect role model by helping his kids make healthy life choices.
Parent Relations
Youth Foundation Intern Spreading Word On Positive Parent-Teen Relationships
By DENISE FLEISCHER Lifestyle Editor
Monica Patel of Des Plaines is sending a message to the community about creating and nurturing positive parent-teen relationships. It began long before a letter she recently sent to the Journal & Topics Newspapers.
Patel is a summer intern for the Maine Community Youth Assistance Foundation, 2720 S. River Rd., Des Plaines. Beyond her responsibilities of community outreach is the personal gratitude she has for her father who helped her make healthy choices in her life.
"Before, he use to drink and smoke," stated Patel, a recent graduate of Maine West High School. "He changed in order to change his relationship with his kids. I have a 19-year-old brother and their relationship has been beneficial to him, too. Dad is our central role model."
In an effort to reach local parents to help enrich their relationships with their teens, Patel made the following suggestions.
Teens need to know parents are there for them.
"This can be done by going to school events and knowing what's happening in their teen's life. Communication is a must as well as trust," said Monica.
Complimenting their achievements is a great confidence booster. Taking the time at the end of the day to sit and talk about what's going on in their lives and yours is just as important. Life has become stressful because of the economy and it can be frustrating making ends meet. But keeping your teens informed of your finances and keeping a positive attitude is a plus, Patel stated.
Monica's role as a summer intern includes being a peer leader to help prevent underage drinking and drug use. She hopes her personal experiences will help her peers establish a similar relationship with their parents. In the fall, she's attending the University of Illinois-Chicago, majoring in History Education with a minor in Psychology. Her brother is going to UIC, as well.
According to Margaret Polovchak, Maine Community Youth Assistance director, the foundation came together through Dist. 207's former superintendent, Steve Snider, after a student survey was conducted. Research examined what other communities have done and creating environmental change became the primary focus.
For more information about Maine Community Youth Assistance Foundation, call 847-858-7090.
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