Transition times can bring both happy and sad moments, and they can be stressful for everyone — especially children and teens. Prom, graduation, the end of the school year, and the start of summer are exciting milestones, but they also create the kinds of moments when young people can be more likely to get into trouble.

Why? Because routines change. Supervision may loosen. Social pressure increases. Celebrations become more frequent. Life gets a little busier, a little less structured, and kids may suddenly have more time on their hands.

That is why these seasons matter so much for parents.

During times like this, one of the best things we can do for our families is create a sense of homeostasis at home.

Homeostasis is really just a word for balance. In the body, it means keeping things steady and regulated. At home, it means creating an environment that feels calm, grounded, and safe, even when life feels busy or emotional.

But that starts with us.

If we want calm in our homes, we have to find calm in ourselves first.

Getting calm does not mean you need to read another parenting book, search for the perfect answer, or call five people for advice, It means slowing down before you react. Taking a deeper breath. Letting your brain rest for a moment before making decisions, giving instructions, or responding to everything happening around you.

And even when summer feels less structured, parents still have opportunities to check in. A simple conversation in the car, a reminder before they leave the house, or a calm moment at the kitchen table can make a difference. These moments help remind our children that their choices matter, that we are paying attention, and that we are here to guide them.

Prom, graduation, and summer break are times when parents need a clear vision of reality. Our kids may be celebrating, pushing boundaries, or making choices without fully thinking them through. And the truth is, we all make poor decisions sometimes. But as parents, our job is to help make sure our children’s poor decisions are not the kind that can seriously hurt them.

For those who have taken our Parent Peer Group classes, this is the time to use what you have learned. Stay calm. Stay connected. Stay clear.

Your steady presence matters, especially during seasons of change.

Learn more about Parent Peer Groups here:
https://www.informedfamilies.org/parent-peer-groups

A March message from the President of National Family Partnership

When the world is overwhelming, how do we keep our peace and still show up for life? Everyone has advice, but what really matters is finding your peace, what works for you. The way we calm ourselves is personal. It’s shaped by our experiences, our culture, our faith, and the things we’ve learned over time.

March is a good reminder of that, especially with St. Patrick’s Day coming up. We hear phrases and blessings like “the luck of the Irish” and “may the road rise to meet you,” and they stick with us for a reason. They’re little reminders of hope. Still, peace isn’t something we just get lucky enough to find. It’s something we build through small, steady choices that keep us grounded and healthy. 

This month, we’re sharing a message from a prevention postcard created back in 1991, and it still feels true today: We’re lucky to have you. Thank you for being part of this community and for choosing prevention, connection, and drug free living for the people you love.

A February message from the President of National Family Partnership

February naturally brings conversations about love. But in my experience, love isn’t only affection or celebration. 

Love is guidance. 

Love is leadership. 

And love is teaching accountability and social norms—especially when children are young.

It’s important to set boundaries for children and not treat them like a teammate or an equal in adult decision-making. Clear boundaries create a feeling of safety and security for young children, and they introduce a calmer environment for the whole family.

Why boundaries feel like love to a child

A story that has stayed with me for years involves a preschool playground. The adults noticed children repeatedly running up to a fence near the play equipment and “bouncing” off it. Some parents decided the fence must be the problem, so after a lot of debate, they removed it.

The result surprised everyone. The children were devastated—and some cried. They wanted that fence. They wanted the boundary. To them, it wasn’t a restriction; it was safety. It was the “bounce back” that helped them understand the limits of the space and feel secure inside it.

That’s what boundaries do when they’re healthy and consistent: they protect children and help them settle.

Kids need age-appropriate expectations

A 5-year-old doesn’t have the capacity to think like a 30-year-old. Raising children is about socializing them to be safe, secure, and age-appropriate. Our job as parents and caregivers is to help children learn how to function in an adult world, with guidance that matches their stage of development.

This is where social norms matter. Social norms are the everyday behaviors that help children succeed in school, in public spaces, and in relationships—things like listening, waiting their turn, following directions, and respecting boundaries.

These skills don’t “just happen.” They’re taught.

Public spaces reveal who’s leading

Have you ever noticed how different children’s behavior can look in different environments? In many American public settings, you’ll sometimes see children “running” the adults, creating unsafe surroundings for everyone—not just themselves. That’s not always the case. I’ve also seen outstanding parenting in busy airports where adults are clearly in charge and children are engaged, helpful, and safe.

The difference is leadership and awareness.

Adults must be aware of danger in their surroundings. A luggage cart is not a toy. Crowded venues are not the place to test limits. When adults maintain order and calm discipline, children learn to do the same.

Accountability now builds safer teens later

Accountability and responsibility are basic life skills. They are also protective factors for prevention. Children who learn boundaries early are more prepared to handle peer pressure, risky situations, and unhealthy influences as they grow.

That’s why this message matters for February—not only for “love,” but for healthy choices.

National Family Partnership exist to strengthen families and protect youth. We talk often about prevention, substance use, and supporting young people—but many of the most powerful prevention tools are the everyday ones: structure, consistency, and clear expectations.

And yes—this connects to our Lock Your Meds campaign, too. Loving boundaries include practical safety steps. Securing medications and keeping them out of reach isn’t about suspicion; it’s about responsibility. It’s one more way adults stay accountable for the environment our children are growing up in.

What “loving boundaries” can look like this week

If you want a simple place to start, try this:

• Set the expectation clearly (before you enter a store, venue, or event)
  
  
• Explain the “why” in one sentence (safety, respect, responsibility)
  
  
• Follow through consistently (calmly, without a long debate)
  
  
• Model the behavior you want (kids learn what they live)
  
  

You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be the adult.

Closing thoughts

Love is teaching accountability. Love is teaching social norms. Love is creating a safe, calm structure that helps children feel secure—and helps them grow into responsible teens and adults.

If you’d like support, resources, or guidance for your family, I invite you to connect with us at NFP.org. And if you haven’t already, please take a moment to learn more about our Lock Your Meds Campaign—because safe homes and healthy choices start with the adults.

For far too long, a powerful misconception has shaped conversations across America: the belief that marijuana is safe. Many people genuinely want to believe this—because life is stressful, connection is important, and fitting in feels good. But wanting something to be true does not make it true.

As I reviewed recent data highlighted in a Wall Street Journal article, I was struck by how urgently we need to challenge this narrative. What has been sold to the public as harmless is proving to be anything but.

How the “Safe” Narrative Took Hold

This belief didn’t emerge on its own. It was shaped by several powerful forces:

1. Individual Desire

We all seek relief—relief from pressure, from worry, from the demands of daily life. When people hear that marijuana offers calm or community, it’s easy for them to accept the message without question.

2. A Highly Profitable Marijuana Industry

What began as a conversation about regulation and oversight has evolved into a commercial industry built on advertising, product expansion, and profit.
The industry has crafted a convincing smoke screen: marijuana is good for you, it’s natural, it’s safe.

But follow the money, and you’ll see clearly—this messaging grows profits, not public health.

3. Legislators Influenced by Trends and Revenue

Across the country, lawmakers read the same reports and newsletters promoting marijuana as a booming economic opportunity. When something is popular and profitable, it becomes tempting to simply say “yes.”

However, popularity and profit do not equal safety.

The Data Is Now Impossible to Ignore

The statistics in this article reveal why several states are beginning to rethink—or even reverse—their legalization policies. Rising emergency-room visits, increased mental-health complications, and the dangers of high-potency products are painting a far more serious picture than the public was led to believe.

This may very well be the clarion call we have been waiting for.

It's time to ask:

Is legal and recreational marijuana truly a wise choice for anyone who wants to be healthy?

Where Do We Go From Here?

As this new information comes to light, we have a responsibility to pause, reflect, and look closely at the real impact marijuana is having on individuals, families, and communities. The conversation can’t be driven by profit or popularity—it must be grounded in truth.

My hope is that these emerging statistics will encourage more people to reconsider what they’ve been told and to look beyond the marketing messages that have shaped so much of the public’s perception.

At National Family Partnership, our commitment remains the same: to empower parents, support healthy kids, and champion prevention rooted in science, not slogans.

In the months ahead, we will continue sharing research, elevating data, and bringing clarity to an issue clouded by misinformation. The more we shine a light on the facts, the better equipped families will be to make informed, healthy decisions.

This moment calls for honesty, courage, and a willingness to rethink long-held assumptions. Together, we can shift the narrative, protect our youth, and build stronger, healthier communities.

Peggy B. Sapp
President & CEO

As we close out the year, I’ve been reflecting on a fascinating trend recently highlighted in The Washington Post: a quiet but growing spiritual reawakening among some young adults. While national data shows that many in Gen Z continue to step away from organized religion, faith leaders across the country are seeing something unexpected — a small but deeply committed group of students leaning into faith with renewed purpose and conviction.

At the University of Maryland Catholic Student Center, attendance has nearly doubled in the past five years. Students are not simply showing up out of obligation; they’re seeking belonging, structure, community, and a sense of moral grounding in a world that often feels chaotic. Many describe faith as a stabilizing force — something that provides clarity when everything else is noisy.

This movement isn’t limited to one faith tradition. Leaders from multiple backgrounds report similar patterns: young people searching for meaning, connection, and values-based guidance that digital culture cannot provide.

The larger surveys still paint a different picture — the long decline in religious affiliation has plateaued, but there is no evidence of a nationwide resurgence. Yet these small pockets of renewed engagement matter. They remind us that today’s youth are not indifferent; they’re discerning. They’re looking for truth, community, and direction — and when they find something that resonates, they commit with remarkable sincerity.

For those of us in prevention, education, and family support, this trend offers hope. It signals that young people are actively searching for grounding influences. It challenges us to continue creating environments where children and families find connection, resilience, and clarity of purpose.

As we move into a new year, may we continue to listen, adapt, and meet families where they are — helping them build strong, values-driven foundations in an ever-changing world.

Wishing you a meaningful December and a hopeful start to 2026.

As I sat on a call recently, someone asked a thought-provoking question: “Why is prevention such a hard sell?” It’s something I’ve reflected on often over the years.

Turn on the news and you’ll notice—bad stories dominate the headlines. We seem drawn to the drama, the fear, the chaos. Maybe it gives us a strange sense of adrenaline or relief—“thank goodness that’s not me.” But what about the quiet stories of success, of prevention, of families making healthy choices every day? Those don’t often make the front page, even though they shape stronger, safer communities.

Let’s look at another field that’s made prevention work: dentistry. For decades, dentists have effectively promoted daily actions—brush after meals, floss regularly, visit every six months. And what happens? We comply! Why? Because we want to avoid that dental chair. There’s a clear connection between preventive habits and positive outcomes.

So why, when it comes to raising healthy, drug-free kids, do we hesitate? When Informed Families shares simple, positive steps—like having dinner together, setting boundaries, or communicating with your children—so many parents say, “We don’t have time.” But the truth is, we do. It’s not about time—it’s about priorities, and perhaps even about accountability. If not you, then who?

Another key piece of prevention is connection. Building strong social networks—families, neighbors, and communities—protects us and our children. Are you intentionally building those networks? Are you nurturing the relationships that help your family grow stronger?

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this month, I can’t help but think back to the Pilgrims. They paused to express gratitude—not because they had extra time, but because they understood the power of coming together to give thanks for their blessings and their hard work. Gratitude isn’t just a holiday gesture—it’s a mindset that shapes our health and happiness.

Someone asked me recently what has changed most since Informed Families began in 1982. My answer: personal accountability. We live in a time where we believe someone else can fix things for us—if we just pay the right expert or find the right shortcut. But life doesn’t work that way. Life is a do-it-yourself project. Each of us is responsible for building the kind of life and family we want.

So, as you gather around your Thanksgiving table this year, take a moment to ask each person what they’re most thankful for. You might be surprised how gratitude changes the tone of the entire day. It’s one of the most powerful motivators we have—and one of the simplest forms of prevention.

Every October, millions of families, schools, and communities unite to celebrate Red Ribbon Week, a tradition that continues to remind us of the power of prevention and the importance of making safe, healthy choices. Since 1985, this campaign has stood as a national symbol of hope — built around one simple, yet life-changing truth: the power of one choice.

One choice can shape a day, a friendship, or a lifetime.
As parents, mentors, and community leaders, the choices we make — what we say, how we act, and the examples we set — send messages that echo through generations. When we choose to talk openly with our children about the dangers of drug use and model positive ways to manage stress or challenges, we empower them to make decisions that strengthen their futures.

This year’s Red Ribbon Week theme, “Life Is a Puzzle, Solve It Drug Free.™”, reminds us that life is made up of many interconnected pieces — our decisions, relationships, values, and experiences. Each piece influences the next, and together they form the larger picture of who we become. When we make healthy, drug-free choices, the pieces align into a meaningful, successful life.

Looking back, I’m reminded of a story shared with us in 2012 by Ryan Washburn, a member of the New Hampshire Army National Guard Counterdrug Program. Ryan reached out as he prepared to visit local schools and speak with students about living drug free. He also organized helicopter flyovers to capture aerial photos of schools forming red ribbon shapes on their grounds — a powerful image of unity and purpose.

In my response to Ryan, I encouraged him to tell students that each one of them has the power of “one.” One person can make a difference — for their friends, families, schools, and communities. One person who chooses to live drug free creates a ripple effect that inspires others to do the same. But one person who chooses to use drugs may close the door to opportunities — college acceptance, scholarships, career goals, and even the ability to fly a helicopter, like Ryan does today.

That same message was reflected in a program created by Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Beth Bloom and her son, Jacob Stern, founders of the Listen UP program. The program educates and empowers parents to take action to prevent permanent consequences from their teens’ mistakes. It raises important questions many families overlook: What happens when your child is caught with a fake ID? Can you be fined or jailed for serving alcohol at a party held in your home? Their goal is to help parents understand that actions have consequences — some short term, others long term — but all shaping the direction of one’s life.

At National Family Partnership, we continue to share these lessons because prevention is not just a one-time message; it’s a way of life. It begins at home with open communication, family connection, and consistent guidance. It grows when schools, businesses, and communities unite around the same purpose — encouraging every young person to make strong, smart, drug-free choices.

As we celebrate Red Ribbon Week from October 23–31, I invite you to take part in one small action that supports prevention. Light your home or business in red. Wear your red ribbon proudly. Talk with a child about how one choice can change everything.

Together, we’re helping every individual — one person, one choice, and one puzzle piece at a time — create a brighter, drug-free future.

September is a special month at National Family Partnership as we celebrate Family Day on September 22—a national movement that reminds us of the power of eating meals together and making time for meaningful connection.

Sometimes, the most effective ways to strengthen families aren’t complicated. They’re simple, intentional acts we can all put into practice. Here are some easy, yet powerful ways to create a healthy, connected home:

1. Share a Meal Together

Eating dinner (or any meal) with your children is one of the strongest protective factors against risky behaviors. Use this time not just to eat, but to talk and share. Try simple questions like:

• What was the best thing that happened to you today?

• What was the hardest thing that happened?

These conversations open the door for children and adults alike to share feelings, instead of letting them build up silently.

2. Practice Gratitude

Encourage every family member to share one thing they’re grateful for. An “attitude of gratitude” helps shift focus from stress to positivity and strengthens resilience.

3. Disconnect to Connect

Phones on the table mean distractions. During family time, put devices away and on silent so you can focus fully on each other.

4. Create a Family Bulletin Board

Post schedules, contact information, and even a family chore chart where everyone can see it. A sense of structure, belonging, and purpose helps children feel safe and supported.

5. Reflect on Traditions and Values

Ask yourself: What social or cultural norms shape our family? Do we attend religious services together? What routines help us feel connected? Recognizing and practicing these traditions builds identity and belonging.

6. Make Time When Dinner Isn’t Possible

Busy schedules don’t always allow for family dinners. That’s okay. Try Family Table Time, a flexible way to connect at another time that works for your family. The point isn’t when you gather—it’s that you gather.

Why It Matters

Structure, belonging, and purpose are critical for healthy families. When we model intentional connection, we give our children tools to thrive.

This Family Day, join National Family Partnership in making meals matter. Use our Family Day Placemat to spark conversation and practice these simple strategies together.

Download the Family Day Placemat 

Together, we can make every day Family Day.

National Family Partnership proudly welcomes the newly appointed DEA Administrator, Mr. Terry Cole, and look forward to working together to strengthen prevention efforts, reduce drug demand, and build safer, healthier communities nationwide.

Terrance C. “Terry” Cole was sworn in as Administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration on July 23, 2025. With over 31 years of public service, including two decades as a DEA Special Agent, he brings deep operational expertise and a lifelong commitment to public safety. From leading major domestic and international assignments to overseeing Virginia’s public safety agencies and achieving the nation’s largest overdose death reduction, Administrator Cole’s career reflects dedication, leadership, and results. Now, he is guiding the DEA into a new era of enforcement, partnerships, and life-saving prevention efforts.

Remember when Sunday dinner at grandma’s was the weekly tradition? When family time meant gathering around a table or activity—not around separate screens? While times have changed, the need for real connection hasn’t.

Today’s families face countless distractions—packed schedules, digital devices, social media noise—all pulling us in different directions. Add to that the challenge of loved ones living in different cities, time zones, or even college campuses, and staying close takes more creativity than ever.

But connection is still possible. It just requires intention.

Here are a few simple, modern ways families can reconnect—even from afar:

• Schedule weekly meaningful time. Make it a priority to carve out time each week—whether it’s a game night, dinner, or a quick ice cream outing. For loved ones away at college or living far from home, a simple Zoom call can help bridge the gap. It doesn’t have to be elaborate—just a consistent moment to catch up, share a laugh, and stay connected, no matter the distance.
• Pick one device-free night each week. Whether it’s dinner, a walk, or a game night—being fully present matters more than what you do.
• Use conversation starters. Ask questions that go beyond “How was your day?” Try: What made you laugh this week? or What would you do with a million dollars?
  
• Share your calendar. Knowing what’s going on in each other’s lives helps everyone feel more connected, even when apart.

At the National Family Partnership, our mission is to support families in building strong, healthy relationships—because when kids feel connected, they’re less likely to turn to risky behaviors like drugs or alcohol.

Our four prevention campaigns are designed to help parents do just that:

1. Family Day – Celebrating shared meals and togetherness.
2. Red Ribbon Week – Encouraging safe, drug-free choices.
3. Lock Your Meds – Promoting responsible prescription storage.
4. Safe Homes Smart Parties – Guiding families to create safe social environments for teens.

Whether it’s reviving the tradition of Sunday dinners or embracing new tools like virtual gatherings, the message is simple: consistent, intentional time together matters.

Let’s make connection a priority—wherever we are.

Warmly,
Peggy B. Sapp
President