Tips For parents
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Ten Steps to Help Your Children Say No to Alcohol and Other Drugs |
Your Family. Family experiences have a strong influence on whether young people develop Alcohol or Other Drugs (AOD) problems. Strong family bonds and effective communication between parents and children may help protect children from the many social and emotional factors that trigger their first AOD use.
Here you have these TEN tips to help you in your important job as a parent :
Talk to your children about alcohol and other drugs.
Make sure they understand the dangers and problems of AOD use by youth.
Learn to really listen to your children. Just
talking to your child is only half the job. You can help keep open the
lines of communication by knowing how to listen, and by knowing when to
listen and not talk.
Help your children feel good about themselves.
Preteens and adolescents are often unsure of themselves. Knowing that
their parents have confidence in them and believe in their self-worth means
a lot. You can communicate this faith in them by giving lots of
specific and believable praise and encouragement to your children at
appropriate times.
Help your children develop strong values. A
strong value system anchored in a clear sense of right and wrong can give
your children the courage to make decisions based on facts and sound values
rather than on peer pressure.
Be a good role model. Your children are very
aware of your habits and spoken and unspoken attitudes concerning AOD
use. They will tend to follow your example.
Help your children deal with peer pressure.
Children who are taught to be gentle and agreeable also may need skills to
resist peer pressure. Help them practice ways they can say "no"
and feel confident about themselves and their decisions.
Set firm rules against AOD use. Have clear
family rules. Tell your children that they are not allowed to drink,
smoke, use other drugs, or engage in other activities to which you
object. Be sure they thoroughly understand the consequences of
breaking these rules. Enforce the rules consistently.
Encourage healthy, creative activities. Make
sure your children have enough structure in their daily lives. Crate
activities for them or encourage them to take part in sports, school
programs, or hobbies they might enjoy. Join your children in having
fun.
Talk with other parents. They're all going
through the same things you are. Networking with neighborhood parents
and community groups can help. If your child is going to a party or
getting together with friends, make sure there is a chaperone and that there
will be no alcohol or other drugs.
Know what to do if you suspect a problem. Learn to recognize the telltale signs of AOD use. and get appropriate help quickly from a doctor or other professional.
Signs That Your Child Might Be Using Drugs
Acknowledgment: This page was adapted by Alonso Lopez from the original Keeping Youth Drug-Free. U.S. Department of Health And Human Services. DHHS