How To Talk To Your Kids About Drugs
October 6th, 2008 | Published by BRAHA Editor in Drug Prevention, For Parents
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As a parent, take the opportunity to talk to your child first, before they hear and receive mixed messages from their peers.
Speak clearly to your child and use vocabulary that they will be able to understand. Wait for a window of opportunity to initiate conversation; try not to interrupt your child when they are doing something that they consider important. Use a tactful approach.
Make sure the information you offer your child fits their age and/or developmental stage.
Take the opportunity to discuss current events relating to drugs and other issues to initiate conversations.
Don’t give textbook answers to questions. Explain to your child how you feel about drugs.
Clarify your expectations, and do not to give mixed messages. Stay consistent.
Your behavior needs to reflect your own beliefs as well as those you would like to instill in your child.
Listening lets your child know that they are important to you. It also helps you understand what your child really wants to know as well as what they already understand.
This will ensure that you understand what your child has said and it will also decrease misunderstandings.
Allow your child to become a confident decision maker as well as encourage some independence.
Providing honest answers strengthens your child’s ability to trust.
Peer pressure is a factor in every child’s life. Helping them understand what makes a good friend is very important.
Kids who feel good about themselves are much less likely to turn to illegal substances to get high.
Don’t miss opportunities to talk to your child. Take advantage of the times when your child wants to talk to you.
Don’t assume that talking once to your child is all it takes for them to avoid drugs. Talk again and again without seeming overbearing.
Decide what matters to you and what doesn’t. Don’t nitpick.
This is a great way to get to know the friends your child has chosen. It also lets your child know that you are interested in their social life and whom they choose to surround themselves with.
Let your child know that you do trust them but you need to know where they are.
Discuss the possible risks that are associated with smoking, drugs, alcohol and premarital sex.
Talk to your child about risky situations and help them establish healthy alternatives and good choices, before they have to make them in a social situation.
If your child feels comfortable talking to you, they will be more willing to ask your advice.
If they have hurt someone, let your child feel remorse for what they have done.
Be clear on rules you expect your child to follow and enforce them consistently.
Establish fair punishments in advance if rules are broken and be consistent applying them.
Be prepared to seek help and research what would be the best solution for your family.
Source: Drug Free America
Site: http://www.dfaf.org/familyguide/talking.php
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