Raising Kids:
Parenting Skills for the 21st Century
Drug Abuse, Alcohol and Smoking
No resource on parenting would be complete without taking on the issue of drug abuse, alcohol and smoking by children. Many books and web sites are devoted to these topics and I am by no means an expert with all of their aspects. What I have listed below are the ways my wife and I have tried to role model healthy behavior and raise our children to understand the dangers of drug abuse, alcohol and smoking, especially on children.
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Use alcohol only moderately in the home. My wife and I limit our alcohol consumption to a few glasses per week and almost always with a meal. When we have a party, we either send the kids to stay with friends or insure the drinking is a secondary aspect and not the main focus.
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Don't smoke or ever abuse drugs for your own sake and the health of your children. If you smoke and your children see that you are trying to quit, this can be a powerful motivator for them to never start.
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Talk openly about the effects of alcohol, drug abuse and smoking. In our family we have alcoholics, drugs abusers and smokers. We talk with our kids frequently about what may have casued these family members to get where they are with substance abuse, how it has affected their lives and how hard it is for them to kick the habit and get better. Over time, my children have developed a healthy fear of becoming hooked on drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. That concern provides an effective deterrant from them experimenting with these substances.
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Keep close tabs on your kids. As with dating, you should know every child and the families of every child your kids spend time with. You should know where they are and what they are doing at all times. If you ever suspect your kids are experimenting with drugs or alcohol - do whatever it takes to find out. Talk to them about your concerns for their safety. Put restrictions on where they go and what they do until they earn your trust again. If they become addicted - get professional help quickly.
The good news is that even if kids do get hooked on drugs, alcohol or cigarettes, with love and support, most can overcome them and become healthy again. The key is to take a proactive stand before they ever get involved and if they do, be diligent in working through the process of intervention and recovery.
Value of Money
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