More families sign on to Parent Connection pledge
‘ We can make a difference in our children’s choices,'
— Dani Altieri Marinucci
Twenty-five percent more families signed the Westlake Parent Connection pledge this year, according to the organization's president, Dani Altieri Marinucci.
The seven-point pledge consists of commitments to the safety of children, such as sending a message that alcohol use by those under 21 and illegal drug use are unacceptable. By signing the pledge, parents also agree not to allow alcohol to be served to minors in their homes or allow unsupervised parties on their property.
Another item commits parents to keeping any firearms properly locked and secured.
The names and phone numbers of all parents who sign the pledge are published in a private directory.
Marinucci, who has a son in college, two daughters at Westlake High school and a son at Lee Burneson Middle School, said the directory helps parents communicate among themselves about their children's safety. For example, if a girl is spending the evening at another girl's home, the parent can call and be sure the teens will be supervised.
"The directory is a tool that allows parents to make the phone call," Marinucci said.
She said 231 families signed the pledge this year, the fourth year the pledge and directory have been in effect.
"Each year we have an increase in signers," she said.
The whole point of the pledge, she added, is to open up the lines of communication among parents and between parents and teens.
"The pledge is a tool where parents can see 'who are my like-minded peers, “ Marinucci said.
The issues addressed in the pledge become more and more important as children get older and are exposed to more of life's realities, she added.
Both parents and children sign the pledge. The document is intended to send a clear message to children and their peers that parents care enough for their safety to risk their displeasure to try and protect them, Marinucci said.
"We can make a difference in our children's choices," Marinucci wrote in a letter to fellow parents accompanying the latest directory. "But we need to speak up at the risk of alienating our peers who condone underage drinking or upsetting our teens by checking up on them. But considering what's at risk — our children's safekeeping — we think it’s worth a measure of discomfort.”
Source: West Life, December 6, 2006