Start An Ongoing Conversation
No loving relationship can exist without communication. Teens believe they have valuable
things to say and, when a parent listens genuinely, it helps self-esteem and confidence. The most
important thing to remember when it comes to talking about difficult subjects like drinking and
drugs is that it's not a five-minute "talk" — it's about building an ongoing dialogue. As your
children grow up, they will need more and more information, so start early and build on the
conversation as your teen matures.
Virtually all parents in America (98 percent) say they've talked with their children about drugs;
however, only 27 percent of teens (roughly one in four) say they're learning a lot at home about the risks of
drugs, according to a national study by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America (PDFA).
There aren't enough hours in the day. Sometimes it's frustrating how few chances there are to have conversations
about drugs with our children. In our busy culture, with families juggling the multiple demands of work, school,
after-school activities, and religious and social commitments, it can be a challenge for parents and children to
be in the same place at the same time.
Yet the better you communicate, the more at ease your teen will feel about discussing drugs and other sensitive issues with you.
Here are some tips: |
