Spring Break Travel Talk: How to Start Simple Safety Conversations With Kids

OSUS encourages families to use travel time as an opportunity for simple, supportive conversations

As families across South Carolina prepare for Spring Break travel, the South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities’ Office of Substance Use Services (OSUS) encourages parents and caregivers to use this time together as a natural opportunity for simple, age-appropriate conversations about safety, expectations and making healthy choices.

“Travel often means stepping away from busy schedules and screens, which can open the door for more meaningful conversations,” said Michelle Nienhius, Manager of Prevention and Intervention Services for OSUS. “Even a short drive can become a chance to check in and connect about important topics.”

OSUS emphasizes that these everyday conversations can lay the foundation for more complex discussions as children grow, including topics like substance use, peer pressure and making healthy choices during the teenage years. Starting early helps normalize these conversations and builds trust over time.

Parents and caregivers do not need to have all the answers to get started. Asking open-ended questions, listening without judgment and creating a safe space for children to share their thoughts can make a meaningful difference. Keeping the tone calm and supportive helps children feel more comfortable asking questions and returning to those conversations in the future.

“These conversations don’t have to happen all at once,” Nienhius said. “It’s about creating an environment where children know they can talk openly and come back with questions as they grow.”

Through Open Conversation SC, OSUS provides tools and resources to help families start and sustain these discussions at every stage. Conversation guides, tips and age-appropriate strategies are available to help parents talk with children about substance use, peer pressure and other challenges they may face over time.

By using simple, everyday moments, like time spent traveling together, families can build a strong foundation of communication that supports healthier choices now and in the future.

Resources and conversation guides are available at openconversationsc.com. For more information about statewide addiction services and resources, visit daodas.sc.gov.