What you say, what you do, and what you expect will effect your teens choice to drink or use illegal drugs. One third of teens who have seen one or both of their parents drunk are more likely to drink themselves, three times more likely to use marijuana, and three times more likely to smoke cigarettes then teens that have never seen a parent drunk.
How you as a parent feels about drinking and how you relay those feeling to your teen also plays a role in if your teen is at a higher risk of drinking. Compared to teens who believe their father is against them drinking, teens who believe their father is okay with them drinking are two and a half times likelier to get drunk in a typical month. Compared to teens who are living with no father in the home, teens who believe their father is okay with them drinking are more than one and a half times likelier to have had a drink.
Parents who expect that their teen is likely to try marijuana are 10 times likelier to have tried marijuana, compared to teens of parents who say future drug use by their child will never happen. Parents are key to preventing substance use in their kids by merely relaying the right messages through their actions, words, and expectations. Parents who send ambiguous messages to their kids about drinking and drug use or--worse yet--parents who encourage such use through their own words and actions are enablers of teen substance use.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
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http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
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All things in moderation is what children need to see as well as hear. I've always tried to be open with my kids about drugs and alcohol. I seldom drink and those of my kids who are over 21 seldom do either. I don't believe any of them have been drunk, even in college. There were always the designated drivers and proud to be able to do that.
ReplyDeleteSome parents just don't get it. They are the first and most important teachers that their children will ever have. They imitate parental actions. Grow up people and take a real good look at what you are teaching your children.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't a saint when I was in my teens and early twenties, but by the time I got married and started my family, I had totally cleaned up my act. We are the first teachers our children will have and believe me they don't miss a thing.
ReplyDeleteYes they do and it makes me really mad to hear a parent say, "I didn't know." Wake up out there, it's your job to know what your kids are doing and to understand what they are facing. How are you supposed to help them if you don't know? Don't wait until it's too late to figure it out.
ReplyDeleteParents teach their children by example as well as by word. Kids don't miss much of what we say and even less of what we do. The younger they are, the more they learn. Make sure you're teaching them lessons you want them to get.
ReplyDeleteThose parents who think they don't need to know are fooling themselves and putting their children at risk. Wake up and smell the coffee!
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