Substance addiction, like alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, or tobacco, can be a serious matter that can affect a child’s health and family relationship. It is the parents’ responsibility to talk about these issues that matter to their child or children’s lives. Some may experience difficulty in how to start a discussion on this topic because they fear that their children might feel that they are being confronted. But as a parent, you should be knowledgeable about addiction, then learn how to deal with it, especially if your child is involved. Your goal is to be as loving as you could as you engage and connect yourself to your child. Learn some tips written below.
You can set your expectations and give clear rules
Never assume that your child already knows the dangers of drug abuse. While some parents also, on the other hand, think that it is not proper to talk about drug abuse until their child has already experienced exposure. Proper education for each stage level can be done. You can start from their preschool years because, for sure, they are already taking prescribed vitamins. Telling them that they only take it when the parents give it to them, and give them information on how these vitamins help their body. As they grow and move to elementary years, they become more curious about medicine, and that bottle or capsule can call their attention.
As a parent, you can say that these medicines are in your medicine drawers to keep your family ready when someone gets sick, and whenever friends ask them to experiment by having a taste, they should be able to remember your rule, that only parents can administer this to them whenever they feel sick or if a doctor gives a prescription. As they move on to middle school and high school, they are now being exposed to alcohol and drugs as they see it in social environments. As a parent, you can emphasize your rules, and show how you care about them by getting to know their friends. Hang out with your child and his friends, or you can also invite them for a talk and have this topic with them. They will surely have a lot of questions in mind, and with your openness, they feel that you want them to stay away from any addiction.
Be positive when you talk about drug addiction.
It does not always mean that you should be at the highest point of your temper. This can be done subtly. You do not need to yell or even have a high temper. If they have committed any violation of your rules, talk to them calmly, and tell them of the consequences of what they did. The experts behind DayHab, a company located in Australia that offers drug abuse treatment, say misuse of drugs can affect family relationships. But if you, as a parent, will build that emotional support for your child, he will be able to stop and avoid these substances. Your tone also matters when communicating with your child, be encouraging and let your child know that you always want what is best for him as well as you want him to be at his best always.
Finally, you may not be able to see everything that your child does, but you can control substance abuse by setting the example. Show a positive influence, and keep your communication lines open at all times. Make this an opportunity to check on them and tell them how much you love and care for them no matter what decisions they have as they grow and become mature individuals. This is the role of a parent, and it is your responsibility to educate them on this matter.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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