Parenting a teenager might be one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. Hormones are all over the place, they’re starting to discover sex and start worrying about their appearance, they’re likely as not to hate you from one day to the next, and they have just enough freedom for you to really worry about what they get up to when you aren’t around. Teens also tend not to have the best reasoning or decision-making skills, because their brains aren’t fully formed yet. Probably one of the biggest concerns is a teenager giving in to peer pressure or trying to self-medicate and turning to drugs. It can be hard talking to your teen about things like this, particularly if they’re inclined to think they are always right and you’re always wrong. That’s why it’s so important to start the conversation – and start building a relationship where you can communicate openly – when your kids are young.
Build a close relationship with your child. You don’t have to try to be their best friend, but look for some common interests and find ways to spend time together. You could even start a new hobby together, like cooking or training for a marathon. Your kid is a lot more likely to come to you with their problems if they view you as someone who is invested in their life.
Be a good role model. If you drink, limit yourself to one glass of wine at dinner or the occasional beer at a party. Don’t get intoxicated in front of your child, as this might make them want to emulate your behavior or at the very least try to figure out what all the fuss is about. Also, it should go without saying that using illegal drugs in the presence of your child is a bad idea.
If you have prescription medication, use it properly and don’t share it with other members of the household. If you’ve got some Vicodin left over from dental surgery and your spouse injures himself falling off a ladder, don’t offer him some of your drugs. This is going to implant the idea that it’s perfectly fine to take someone else’s medication. Also, just having it around the house isn’t recommended, because your child might get into it.
Be mindful of how you deal with negative emotions. Do you come home from a hard day at work and slam doors for a while before settling down with a six-pack? Is that really behavior you want your kid to pick up? Teach them that there are other ways to cope. Go for a run, listen to some relaxing music, spend some time in the garden – just find something that helps and sets a good example.
There’s no way to make it absolutely guaranteed that your teen will never try drugs, but you can decrease the possibility, or at the very least, make sure that you are the person that they are willing to come to if they’re considering it.
If you or a loved one need help with quitting drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Call us any time at (949) 438-4504 to get started.
