Upstream Parent - A Parent's Guide to Cortland County Teens

Health & Wellness

Vaping in Cortland County Junior High Students Looks Different This Year

ByMargaret BroderickAugust 5, 2021

Promising trends in youth vaping for 2020! After reported vaping for Cortland County 7th-12th graders more than doubled from 2017 to 2018—even taking over alcohol in 2018 as the most commonly used substance by youth in Cortland County—we have since seen a steady decline in

Positive Parenting

Kitchen Activities for Your Teen

ByCortland Area Communities That CaresJuly 5, 2021

Engaging your teen in the kitchen is a great way to spend time with them, teach them responsibility, and provide them with some life skills before they move out. Try out some of these activities!

Health & Wellness

Talking to Your Teen about Partying Before They Go to College

ByKevin BroderickJune 23, 2021

So, your son or daughter has been accepted to college and is rocketing their way into adulthood and independence – time flies, huh? The newfound independence that your kid will have at college is something that they are surely elated over, much to your quiet concern. I mean,

Health & Wellness

Explaining Binge Drinking to Older Teens

ByMargaret BroderickJune 20, 2021

While most 11th and 12th graders in Cortland County are not binge drinking (or drinking at all!) educating teens in this age group prior to graduating, and before they may start binge drinking, can arm them with the tools they need to understand what it actually means to

Positive Parenting

Teen Relationships 101

ByNikole HurlbertJune 15, 2021

It’s never too soon to start talking about relationships. In fact, many of the skills needed to maintain a healthy romantic relationship are also important when it comes to friendships or familial relationships.

Teen Insights

Four Facts About Teen Marijuana Use in Cortland County

ByMargaret BroderickJune 10, 2021

Sometimes it’s easy to get into our heads that everybody is using marijuana—including teens—but that is simply not true here in Cortland County. In 2020, 90% of 7th-12th graders here in Cortland County did not report using marijuana in the past month.

Health & Wellness

Incoming Freshman: Be Healthy and Well (at TC3)!

ByKevin BroderickJune 5, 2021

Your son or daughter is making the decision that is right for them and going to TC3, or TC for short, and I for one could not be happier for you all! TC is a college that gives young adults from all over (seriously, we even have international students!) amazing experiences –

Health & Wellness

Hosting a Safe Summer Party for Your Teen

ByMargaret BroderickMay 31, 2021

Research has found that teens are most likely to use alcohol, or other drugs, for the first time in the months of June and July.1 We also know from our yearly survey of over 1,800 Cortland County 7th-12th graders that the most common places teens report drinking are at their

Teen Insights

Youth Survey Shows Parent’s Role in Cortland County Teen Drinking

ByMargaret BroderickMay 25, 2021

I want to start this article off by sharing two conclusions we can make from the 2020 Cortland County youth survey of over 1,800 7th-12th grade students: Most teens (86%) report their family has clear rules about alcohol use Most teens (89%) DO NOT report accessing alcohol

Positive Parenting

3 Ways to Connect with Your Teen Outdoors

ByCortland Area Communities That CaresMay 18, 2021

This might be a surprise to some parents, but the 2020 survey of 7th-12th graders found that over 80% of teens in Cortland County report they enjoy spending time with their mother or father!