Adolescents in Middle School: Part 3

in Drugs & Alcohol / Middle School Behavior / Parent Tips / Parent-Teen Communication / Parenting / Teaching Mindfulness  by Lindsey Leason 0 comments
Image: Herald Post
Originally Published March 2010
Commentary by ACS Executive Director, Dr. Philippe Rey
Encourage choice
•Allow your child plenty of opportunity to become a confident decision-maker. An 8-year-old is capable of deciding if she wants to invite lots of friends to her birthday party or just a close pal or two. A 12-year-old can choose whether she wants to go out for chorus or join the school band. As your child becomes more skilled at making all kinds of good choices, both you and she will feel more secure in her ability to make the right decision concerning alcohol and drugs if and when the time arrives.
Provide age-appropriate information
•Make sure the information that you offer fits the child’s age and stage. When your 6 or 7-year-old is brushing his teeth, you can say, “There are lots of things we do to keep our bodies healthy, like brushing our teeth. But there are also things we shouldn’t do because they hurt our bodies, like smoking or taking medicines when we are not sick.”

Take advantage of opportunities and be honest
•If you are watching TV with your 8 year-old and marijuana is mentioned on a program, you can say, “Do you know what marijuana is? It’s a bad drug that can hurt your body.” If your child has more questions, answer them. If not, let it go. Short, simple comments said and repeated often enough will get the message across.

•You can offer your older child the same message, but add more drug-specific information. For example, you might explain to your 12-year-old what marijuana and crack look like, their street names and how they can affect his body.

•BE REAL and BE HONEST ABOUT YOUR PAST!

Resources to use:
Partnership for Drug Free Kids Parent Tool Kit
WebMD Talking to Kids and Teens About Drugs and Alcohol Directory
National Institute on Drug Abuse Talking to Your Kids—Communicating the Risks