Tween (10-12)

Talking Tips: Ages 10-12

Suddenly, you’re not that cool. Keep your cool and keep talking (and listening).

Take time to be a family.

Still plan family outings, even if your kids think it’s not cool. Make family dinners a priority—eating together has been shown to reduce risk-taking behaviors in youth while increasing things .like self esteem

Consider your actions.

At this age, kids will notice when a parent is betting on their phone, making one too many trips to the casino or neighborhood party store for lotto tickets. They will also become aware or even question gaming activity, if it’s something that a parent prioritizes and spends a lot of time engaged in. Being responsible with your own gambling/betting/gaming is also teaching an important lesson.

Also it’s important to resist the temptation to stick a few scratch-off lotto tickets in holiday stockings or as birthday gifts. This behavior only normalizes early gambling behaviors; it is also illegal for minors to gamble.

Look for teachable moments in any place possible.

The car can be a perfect place as they are a captive audience! Ask open-ended questions and really listen to their answers.

Establish yourself as a resource.

If kids know they can count on you for answers to their questions, they will come back for more information.

Never stop building your relationship with them.

Continue to work to establish a level of trust so they know they can come to you with any concern

Continue to establish and enforce clear rules.

Be willing to talk about why these standards are important to you. Remind them that any kind of gambling under the age of 18 is illegal and against the law.

Make sure to share your views and opinions with them.

Let them know how you feel about gambling/gaming, etc. and what your expectations are for issues like these.

Help them learn to resist peer pressure.

Role-playing scenarios will help prepare them for possible situations and build confidence in standing up for what they believe in.

Focus on Fact Not Fiction

Help them understand that not "everyone" their age is gambling or gaming.

Tween (10-12)

.icon-chip{fill:#F1584D;} Talking Tips: Ages 10-12

.icon-chip{fill:#F1584D;} Take time to be a family.

.icon-chip{fill:#F1584D;} Consider your actions.

.icon-chip{fill:#F1584D;} Look for teachable moments in any place possible.

.icon-chip{fill:#F1584D;} Establish yourself as a resource.

.icon-chip{fill:#F1584D;} Never stop building your relationship with them.

.icon-chip{fill:#F1584D;} Continue to establish and enforce clear rules.

.icon-chip{fill:#F1584D;} Make sure to share your views and opinions with them.

.icon-chip{fill:#F1584D;} Help them learn to resist peer pressure.