Teach Your Kids About Drugs, Alcohol, and Other Dangerous Situations With These Tips

As a parent, you want to make sure your child is safe, happy, and healthy. You also want them to be prepared for the challenges that come with growing up. The truth is that drugs and alcohol are a part of this world and you can’t avoid having conversations with your kids about them. People of all ages use these substances every day, including some children. It’s important to talk to your children about not only drugs and alcohol but how to avoid or identify dangerous situations where they need help. Here’s how you can teach them as they grow.  

Be Willing to Have Tough Conversations

Lines of communication with your child start early. It’s important to be open to having tough conversations that may make you uncomfortable. Kids ask all sorts of things, and if they know they can ask you anything without shame, when the important stuff comes up later in life, they’ll be more likely to come to you with questions. There is nothing wrong with getting resources, books, and even parenting classes to help you with these talks.

Talk to Your Kids in Age-Appropriate Ways

With that said, you also want to make things as age-appropriate as possible. How you talk to your 15-year-old about their changing body or drugs will differ from how you would communicate with a 9-year-old. Use age-appropriate language, examples, and vocabulary. It’s also important not to use slang or idioms when talking with kids.

Share the Science of Drugs and Alcohol

Kids are intuitive and you can easily share about different levels of science as it pertains to drugs and alcohol. Telling your children that drugs are bad doesn’t help them to understand why. You might share some scientific facts about how alcohol impairs your thoughts and actions. You might explain how certain drugs raise your heart rate and put you at risk of a heart attack.

Of course, you don’t need to share every detail, but it’s important to understand the basics of how drugs affect the brain, body, and mind. When you can communicate these things to your kids they will better understand why you want them to avoid them and how it benefits them long-term. You can even share what happens if a mom or dad gets addicted to drugs. Older kids especially might understand that the need for family rehab is because drug and alcohol addiction impact the whole family and not just the addict.

Teach Them About Tricky People

Teaching your children about unsafe and tricky people will help them identify potentially dangerous situations as they grow up. A tricky person is essentially anyone who will try to trick them into doing something wrong by telling them that it’s okay or necessary. They will tell you something that goes against what your parents have already said previously, and they will try and get you to do things you are not comfortable with. Letting your kids know that it’s okay to say no to tricky kids and adults can better help them stay safe when you aren’t around.

Give Them Opportunities to Honor Their Boundaries

The best way to teach your kids about boundaries is to honor them yourself. If you say no to something, stick with it. Your children will learn that their boundaries are respected when they see you respect your own. You can also respect their no’s when possible to show them that their desires matter as well.

Don’t Forget to Talk About the Dangers of Prescription Medications

While it’s important to teach kids about the dangers of illegal drugs and alcohol, don’t forget to talk about the dangers of prescription medications. It’s easy to forget that some families have medications in their cabinets that are not locked up and can be harmful. It’s important to teach them not to take any medication that isn’t theirs and to only take it as directed.

Be Ready for Some Tough Questions

Whether you’re talking to your child about drugs, alcohol, or something else that may be dangerous, it’s important to explain the facts in a way they can understand. It’s okay to tell them if you don’t have an answer and to let them know you’ll get back to them within a few days. This helps build trust and lets them know that you care about their questions.

Always Offer Them an Out With Your Help, No Questions Asked

Sometimes kids mess up and get into situations they can’t handle. It’s important that they know they can contact you to help them without getting berated or corrected. Offer them an out through a phone call or text.