What parents can do

What parents can do
4 MAJOR Things to help keep children drug free

1. Educate yourself: Learn as much as you can about all kinds of drugs and alcohol. Know how they are used, signs, symptoms, the paraphernalia, the street names, and what they look like.

Things you should know:
· What is a drug
· Types of drugs
· Why children get involved
· What to look for i.e.: signs, symptoms, effects and risks

2. Talk with your children: Keep lines of communication open: find out what your children know about drugs and alcohol. Tell them your values and opinion on drugs and alcohol. Be a good listener. Encourage your children to talk openly about problems, feelings, emotions, school and friends. Then make time to talk on a regular basis.

Things you should do:
· Set rules and consequences
· Develop good listening skills
· Learn the commutation “Don’ts”

Remember when talking to your children
DON'T
¨ DON'T: Be sarcastic
¨ DON'T: Be Accusatory
¨ DON'T: use pity or make them feel guilty (ex: Can't you see how you are hurting me)
¨ DON'T: use self blame (ex: It's my fault)
¨ DON'T: Criticize the person, criticize the action

· Learn how to communicate with your children

3. HELP BUILD SELF ESTEEM AND SELF WORTH WITH ENCOURAGEMENT: see list of in this blog from March 4, 2008

Things you should do:
· Help build self-esteem
· Teach children working ways to say “NO” & Practice
· Teach children ways to stay away from drugs and alcohol
· Team up with other parents – teamwork!

4. Practice: Teach your children to practice “refusal skills”. You need to teach your children how to say ‘NO’ and have a list of alternatives and activities for them to do.


I hope you all are / have been enjoying my thoughts, ideas, suggestions and tips. Please feel free to make comments. I would appreciate the feed back.

Until next month…