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Tips on Encouraging Abstinence 

 MARCH 2010
 
 
 
In This Issue
What's a Mom to Do
Chain Reaction
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The staff at Aim For Success stays very busy during the summer months researching medical journals, updating the programs and attending continuing education training. Our presenters also speak at camps, workshops, conventions and a variety of youth organizations throughout the summer. If your organization needs a presenter this summer give us a call. Many of our summer program fees are discounted by as much as 50%!
 
 
What's a Mom to Do?
Written by Marilyn Morris
Founder/President Aim For Success
 
A mother recently emailed me with concerns about some messages she found from a girl who was proclaiming her love for the lady's 7th grade son. But it wasn't just the girl - the mom could tell her son was enamored by the girl as well. 
 
Although there was no direct contact outside of school, the mom felt this crush was moving too fast. She reminded her son he would not be allowed to date until 16. She told me she was monitoring his email and Facebook and wanted to know if I had other suggestions. After sending her a few ideas, I thought perhaps other parents might appreciate these tips as well. The following is what I sent.

First, I think it's important to understand this is a very exciting time in your son's life. He's just figuring out girls aren't really all that yucky. Obviously, you can't tell him he isn't allowed to like the girl. He can't just flip a switch that prevents the attraction. Even if he could, I assure you there will be other girls in the months and years to come. While you don't want to rob him of his momentary joy, you don't want to encourage the relationship either.
 
It sounds like you're doing a really good job of setting guidelines for dating and monitoring his email and Facebook. If he has a cell phone, you might also make sure he doesn't keep the phone in his room overnight. Establish a rule where all cell phones are required to be in the kitchen charging by a designated time each night and cannot be retrieved until a designated time the next morning. This will prevent calls or texting throughout the night which is common for many teens today. 
 
Basketball PlayerThere are also ways to redirect his focus from the girl. Maybe there's a hobby or something he enjoys doing.  If he loves basketball, keep him busy working on improving his game - or maybe he's into music, paintball or Scouts. Whatever he's interested in, keep him busy and focused on those activities.  Remember, bored kids are far more prone to engage in sex and drugs than those focused on fulfilling an exciting dream.
 
If you haven't discussed your stand on abstinence, it's time to do that. Make sure your son understands your family values. "No sex until . . ." and then you fill in the blank. In other words, when will you be okay with him having sex? This is not a one-time conversation. He needs to hear this over and over through the coming years.
 
Keep reminding your son how wonderful he is and what an amazing future he has. Find opportunities to remind him how sad it is when dreams are derailed because of an all-consuming relationship or unplanned pregnancy.  Talk about how far is too far. He needs to know where you expect him to stop when he eventually gets to be alone with a girl. It's far better to instill these values now instead of waiting until he's 16 and in a serious relationship. Despite the fact that roles are now shifting where girls are becoming the aggressor in many relationships, help your son understand you expect him to treat all girls with respect and not as something to be used for personal pleasure.
 
If your son is into sports, use Tim Tebow as a great role model. This guy was the quarterback for the University of Florida for the past several years. Not only did he lead his Tim Tebow croppedteam to two national championships, he also won the Heisman Trophy and was featured in Sports Illustrated last summer. But here's a little known secret about Tim Tebow... he's a virgin! That's right! This guy is committed to saving himself for his future wife.
 
Perhaps your dinner time conversation some evening could focus on the boundaries Tim Tebow might have set when he was in middle school to stay focused on his football career. Then keep watching the news for other role models and teachable moments. Oh, and if you have a copy of my book Teens Sex and Choices and you haven't gone through it together already - now is the time! The book covers all these topics in detail. The Family Discussion Questions are designed specifically for you to explain your values. Remember, serious relationships and raging hormones are inevitable, and now is the time to instill your values. 
 
More than anything, I advise you not to over react to your son's new attraction to girls. You've got your guidelines in place and you're monitoring where you can. Now just relax and let your son know you love him unconditionally and trust him to make good choices. When he does make mistakes along the way, don't rush to his side to fix the problems. But at the same time, don't turn your back on him. Ask him questions like, "How do you plan to resolve this problem?" Allow your son to learn from his mistakes by paying the necessary price. Making mistakes and learning from those mistakes is what will allow him to grow into a mature responsible young man. What better time than now to begin learning that choices have consequences.  
 Creative Date Idea
 
The following was emailed to Aim For Success by a young lady named Rose. Even as a teenager she had a very wise perspective on dating. Read on and see what you think of her idea.
When I was 16 and allowed to go on car dates, it dawned on me I had less chance of being pressured to have sex if I was out with a group of friends. Even a double date was easier to elude the hormones of a guy who may not have had my best Group of Friendsinterest at heart.  So my creative idea, is to "Make a Pact" to only go out as a group of friends and see how much fun you can have just laughing, being silly and enjoying being young. It really is fun!!! The best part - no one gets pregnant or STDs. Then at the end of your teen years you're a sophisticated, fun-loving, happy person surrounded by lots of amazing friends. This is a perfect way to enter the early years of adulthood, where you can start considering your soul mate.
 
It's an amazing experience to unite with a group of friends with a goal of abstinence. And everyone in the group has a chance to lead the way to invite those who might want to date them to join the abstinence group and go out with the gang!
 
Of course you'll have to determine your guidelines. For example, teens love affection, and some kissing could be allowed along with holding hands, hugging and other non-sexual signs of affection because in some homes this is missing and kids are wonderfully open to being friendly. This could satisfy the need for tenderness or love. However, sex without a marriage commitment does not fulfill the need for affection and it can set the stage for erosion of self-worth.  Humans thrive in happy relationships and you can find those if you aim high and turn off movies, close books and avoid other things that make sex seem like it's just a casual thing that everyone is doing.
 
And those who have already been involved in sexual activity should be embraced and given a chance to be in the abstinence group - with peer pressure to stay committed to abstinence from now on! Chronic abusers could be kindly let out of the group.