It’s not easy being a parent to a teenager these days.  It’s almost impossible to keep track of everything you need to be aware of.  Danger seems to be lurking around every corner.  One of those dangers continues to be drugs and alcohol. That’s why we’ve put together some ways to help parents raise healthy and drug free kids.

 1-Kids who learn about the risks of drugs and alcohol from their parents are up to 50% less likely to use than those who do not.  Be present and involved in your child’s life, talk and listen to your child regularly and make it clear that you do not want him or her drinking or using drugs.  Provide them with solid, fact-based reasons why, how drugs and alcohol could affect their future plans, and express how much you love them and want the best for them.

2-Start the conversation about drugs and alcohol early, well before they hit the teen years.  And remember, this is not a one-time conversation.  You need to speak to your kids about this over and over.  Approach the topic when you have a few minutes on the ride to school or over a family dinner.  Make your feelings a mantra so they know how strongly you feel.

3-At some point, most kids will feel peer pressure and need to be prepared for how to handle the situation before it happens.  An alarming number of teenagers are intentionally abusing a variety of Rx and OTC medications to get high.  Know what kids are faced with today, what drugs are the new ones to be abused and be informed. The more you know, the more your kids will listen.   Give them ideas for handling peer pressure and always encourage them to make good choices.

4-Reconsider keeping a stocked, easily accessible liquor cabinet or regular beer in the fridge and always secure prescription drugs.  Make drugs and alcohol less accessible for your kids and their friends.  It doesn’t erase the potential, but makes it more difficult. 

5-Encourage your kids to be active and busy.  If they are involved in sports or extra-curricular activities they have less free time on their hands and are less prone to trying drugs. 

6- Poor self-esteem and low confidence is one of several factors that can lead to substance abuse in teenagers. A teen who has a low opinion of him or herself might turn to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to boost confidence, fit in with a group of peers and improve social skills.  Help your child deal these issues early on and do what you can to promote a healthy self-esteem and belief in self.

7-Be clear with your child about the consequences of using drugs and alcohol, not just consequences you implement (such as grounding, no use of car, etc.), but also sports and school related activities they are involved in.  There is the potential of being suspended from school, sitting out games or being kicked off team sports.

Prevention and communication are two of your most effective tools in keeping your teen safe and healthy.  Keep talking and while it might appear that your words fall on deaf ears, the reality is that they not only hear you, but may actually listen!

About Jennifer Chung & Kinsights.com

Jennifer Chung is a parenting expert and co-founder of Kinsights: part parenting community, part online health record. Kinsights provides parents with a safe place to seek answers to their questions while also helping them track their child’s health information. Organize your child’s growth and developmental milestones, immunizations, medications, allergies, and more.  Connect with Kinsights at https://kinsights.com to learn more and sign-up! You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter (@kinsights).

The post Keeping Your Teen Away From Drugs & Alcohol appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Peer pressure can start at a young age and often begins simply and seemingly harmless, but it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Parents need to work with their young children to teach them ways in which they can resist peer pressure.

With seven kids of my own, I’ve dealt with my fair share of it and I’ve also discovered several great ways to handle it.

Be Yourself: Children often succumb to peer pressure because they’re afraid to say no or to be themselves. We need to teach children that’s it’s perfectly okay to be different; we all don’t need to fit into one mold. When a child is comfortable in their own skin they’ll be more prepared to resist peer pressure. It’s not easy to teach a child that it’s okay to be different or to go against the grain, and it’s really a lesson that you’ll have to continue to teach as your child grows and encounters new difficulties and life experiences. Make sure your child knows you think the world of them and that you’re proud to be their parent; building them up will instill confidence, which will help them understand that they don’t need to change who they are to “fit in” or “be cool”.

Reflect Often: Another important lesson parents need to teach children is to be reflective and to not make rash or rushed decisions. A reflective child will be less likely to be peer pressured into doing something risky or irresponsible, because they’ll take the time to weigh the pros and cons and seriously think about the best option or decision. Start young by discussing aloud with your child pros and cons of various and everyday activities, so they get into the habit of thinking things through. Instilling a sense of reflection can do wonders when it comes to helping children resist peer pressure.

Set a Good Example: I say it all the time, and I’ll say it again now: your kids are watching and learning from your every move. If you’re peer pressured into doing something you didn’t necessarily want to do they’ll be watching you and learning that it’s okay to succumb to peer pressure. Set a strong example, be a good role model and show your children that saying no in the face of peer pressure is perfectly acceptable.

Communicate: Solid communication between parent and child is extremely important. A relationship rich in communication will allow a parent to better understand their child. Furthermore, a child will likely be more open about any peer pressures they may be facing if they’re given the opportunity to express themselves freely and safely. The parent will then be able to step in and give their child techniques to resist peer pressure.

Teaching ways to resist peer pressure should begin at a young age and continue on through childhood. Start small and don’t give up!

Happy parenting!

Sincerely,

Daddy Nickell

Robert Nickell, aka Daddy Nickell, father of 7, offers his “5 cents” worth of advice to expectant and new parents.  Daddy Nickell is the founder of Daddyscrubs.com, delivery room duds and daddy gifts and apparel, and the DaddyScrubs blog where he covers topics about parenting all from a Dad’s perspective.

The post Teaching Kids to Resist Peer Pressure appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.