Laying Down the Rules — Tips for Parents
Parents, you are the first line of defense when it comes to your child's
drug use or drinking. And you do make a difference! Nearly two-thirds of
teenagers see great risk of upsetting their parents or losing the respect of
family and friends if they smoke marijuana or use other drugs.
There are some simple steps you can take to keep track of your child's
activities. Of course, your kids might not like you keeping tabs on where
they are and what they're doing. It won't be a democracy, and it shouldn't
be, according to many parenting experts. In the end, it's not pestering,
it's parenting.
- Set rules. Let your teen know that drug and alcohol use is
unacceptable and that these rules are set to keep him or her safe.
Set limits with clear consequences for breaking them.
- Praise and reward good behavior for compliance and enforce
consequences for non-compliance.
- Know where your teen is and what he or she will be doing
during unsupervised time. Research shows that teens with
unsupervised time are three times more likely to use marijuana or
other drugs. Unsupervised teens are also more likely to engage in
risky behaviors such as underage drinking, sexual activity, and
cigarette smoking than other teens. This is particularly important
after school, in the evening hours, and also when school is out
during the summer or holidays.
- Talk to your teen. While shopping or riding in the car,
casually ask him how things are going at school, about his friends,
what his plans are for the weekend, etc.
- Keep them busy — especially between 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
and into the evening hours. Engage your teen in after-school
activities. Enroll your child in a supervised educational program or
a sports league. Research shows that teens who are involved in
constructive, adult-supervised activities are less likely to use
drugs than other teens.
- Check on your teenager. Occasionally check in to see that
your kids are where they say they're going to be and that they are
spending time with whom they say they are with.
- Establish a "core values statement" for your family.
Consider developing a family mission statement that reflects your
family's core values. This might be discussed and created during a
family meeting or over a weekend meal together. Talking about what
they stand for is particularly important at a time when teens are
pressured daily by external influencers on issues like drugs, sex,
violence, or vandalism. If there is no compass to guide your kids,
the void will be filled by the strongest force.
- Spend time together as a family regularly and be involved in
your kid's lives. Create a bond with your child. This builds up
credit with your child so that when you have to set limits or
enforce consequences, it's less stressful.
- Take time to learn the facts about marijuana and underage
drinking and talk to your teen about its harmful health, social,
learning, and mental effects on young users. Visit the drug
information area of TheAntiDrug.com.
- Get to know your teen's friends (and their parents) by
inviting them over for dinner or talking with them at your teen's
soccer practice, dance rehearsal, or other activities.
- Stay in touch with the adult supervisors of your child (camp
counselors, coaches, employers, teachers) and have them inform you
of any changes in your teen. Warning signs of drug use include
distance from family and existing friends, hanging out with a new
circle of friends, lack of interest in personal appearance, or
changes in eating or sleeping habits.
This article is from theantidrug.com.
Sponsored by The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign
This document was developed for general public use by The AntiDrug.com and
can be found at: http://www.theantidrug.com/ei/tips_for_parents.asp. For
more information about your behavioral health benefits, you can call the
member services or behavioral health telephone number listed on your
healthcare identification card.
