February 29...

February 29, comes once every four years. We don’t think about this day unless it is a leap year. The reason I bring this up is because we need to talk about drugs, alcohol, safety and making healthy choices everyday with our children. Not just once in a while, or this case, every four years!

Talking to our children about making healthy choices is something we need to do often, if not everyday. We need to make this a habit, use teachable moments, role play and talk, talk, talk. Don’t over load your children; give them just a little at a time. After a while your children will stop rolling there eyes at you and play along. They just may have fun with this and learn something along the way!

One of the most effective ways to teach your children how to be prepared and handle these situations is to act it out with them. Have fun and role play with them. Maybe you play the child first and they play the stranger, the friend or neighbor. Then you can reverse the roles. Talk about what happened, provide feedback that offers suggestions for improvement and most importantly, offers high praises when they get it right. A little everyday last a life time….. Now go practice!

Teachable Moments

Today we had a visitor to our house. A possum was sitting on my gas grill. This little guy scared the heck out of my daughter. Let’s start from the beginning; we arrived home Saturday evening after I took my children with me to one of my prevention presentations. (Operation Snowball ). My daughter got out of the car and let out a blood curdling scream, then jumped back in the car. What happened was, this little creature was staring at her….

I pulled out of the garage and I got the possum off the grill; however he ran under a dresser in my garage and after an hour or so of searching, he was not to be found. The next morning, I found this little creature scared and hungry in my recycle bin. We took “Spike”, named by my son, across the street to the field and set him free to join his family.

The reason I’m telling you this story is because I used this as a “teachable moment”. I realize Spike just wanted to be safe, warm and fed.

Ok, so what does this have to do with children?

The same is true for them. They want to feel safe and know that they are being cared for. Spike didn’t want to hurt us; he was lost, away from his family and just needed to feel safe. Finding comfort in my recycle bin, he was content but scared. I ask you; please don’t just make your children feel content. Make them feel loved, cherished and wanted. We as a family, we released Spike back to the field so he could be with his family and hopefully feel loved and comforted again.

OK, I realize this is a stretch, but a true and funny story that I wanted to share with you. It made a positive point to my children and they learned from it. Hopefully you as parents will take everyday life and use it as a “teachable moment”.

Teachable moments are opportunities that you should always be looking for. Talk with your children about strangers, when you see people in a grocery store, a Target, Wal-mart or the mall. Look for articles in the newspaper, the internet, the local and national news that talks about drugs and alcohol, teen pregnancy, drinking and driving, under aged drinking etc… Use these news stories to get the communication started and let your children know your rules, values and consequences…. Again, a little bit everyday makes a BIG difference!

Why children get involved...

Chances are that before your children reach adulthood, some one will approach them to try a drug or alcohol. A friend, neighbor, older bother or sister, or acquaintance will introduce drugs and/or alcohol into your child's life. Not a stranger.

What your children will say or do depends on their education and information about drugs and alcohol. It is critical that you help them learn this information. Do not leave it up to the school and/or the local police department. Work with them in the effort to making our children health. Take responsibility for your child's life.

The 1st thing I want to talk about today is WHY children get involved with drugs and alcohol. Here are some of the reason/excuses that children say…..

Peer Pressure
To fit in
Everyone is doing it
To escape Pressures
Problems at home or at school
Fun
Excitement
To feel accepted or liked
Rebellion
Boredom
Curiosity
To Relax
To get High
Feel Important
Be Cool
Afraid to say “NO” or don’t know how to say “NO”
Relieve Depression

Children will justify in there own heads WHY it’s OK to try a drug or alcohol. They justify the excuse they use and make it OK in there own head. Some of these justifications are, if I only do it once it won’t hurt me. But it does hurt them, on the inside of there body, and it is too late when they see the pain on the outside. Or, there are 6 billion people on this planet and if I use, the odds are, it won’t hurt me. Even if I smoke for a couple weeks, I can quit, I just want to fit in with the other kids.

Every time you ingest a drug or alcohol it hurts the inside of your body. We don’t use our eyes to see pain on the inside, so we don’t think it will hurt. Yes, some may have less effects then other, however if you are the one to become addicted, “I’m sorry, I didn’t think it would be me” will not help them or make it better.

Remember some choices we make in life are permanent.

Most children want TIME & ATTENTION from their parents. Remember YOU are your children’s role model, not the rock star, the sports star or the TV celebrity… It’s you and they will justify doing things because you do them.

NIDA: National Institute on Drug Abuse quotes. "That 20 years of scientific research shows that direct parental involvement in the life of a child is the most important protective factor in increasing the odds that children will remain drug free."

Next month we talk about signs and symptoms. Also ways to build self-esteem and self worth in your children…. See you soon!