As children grow up and turn into teenagers, the mission of every parent becomes how to keep them safe so that they can continue to grow, develop and learn. Many parents share the valid concern that teenagers will succumb to peer pressure and their own curiosity regarding alcohol and drugs.
Drug overdoses have become the leading cause of injury death in America, making the threat and consequences of substance abuse very real. Tackling the topic of drugs and alcohol can be tricky for many parents, as they may struggle with not wanting to alienate the child by being too forceful but understand the necessity of taking a firm stance against their use. Also, because some parents experimented with drugs and alcohol when they were teenagers, the fear of looking like a hypocrite and losing credibility weighs on some families. Here are some helpful tips when approaching the drug and alcohol conversation with children.
Understand that children are always watching. This means that if a parent consumes excessive amounts of alcohol, it is more likely that the child will engage in the same behavior when given the opportunity. Research shows that children are more likely to develop an addiction to drugs and alcohol if someone in their home is addicted to a substance as well. Children who witness excessive drinking or binge drinking more than once a week may form opinions on alcohol that would make it ok for them to engage in the same behaviors. Conversely, children who observe responsible behavior are also more apt to follow such.
Let your children know exactly what you expect out of them. These boundaries will serve as built-in guides along the way. If a child understands that you will not accept certain behavior it is more difficult for them to engage in it, especially since teenagers can be boundary-pushing rebels. Experts warn that establishing rules and parameters may be difficult if the child has already been breaking them. Set rules early and make the consequences very clear to children.
These tips were put together by leaders and experts who understand that guiding children into the teenage years safely is a daunting, but necessary task. The more parents who successfully create an environment where alcohol and drug use is not pursued, the more children will be saved from a life of devastation caused addiction.
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