Parents Know! To Beware of Summer Boredom

While some amount of boredom is a common complaint, tweens who claim to be bored all the time are at an increased risk of smoking, drinking, getting drunk and using other drugs to fill their time. Combine boredom with the fact that youth are already at increased risk for experimenting with substances during the summer months and the potential for danger is evident.

For parents, supervision is key and must be a part of the equation. As research shows, unsupervised youth are three times more likely to use alcohol or other drugs. If you cannot physically be present at home, call on a neighbor or friend to stop by or hire a part-time “buddy-sitter” to be there with your tween (and randomly call or text to check in with your child).

While downtime is important, it is also a good idea to help your child establish some structure to their summer schedule.

Consider These Boredom Busters:

• Help your child find a job like babysitting, dog-walking, washing cars, or mowing lawns.
• Look for volunteer opportunities through local churches, soup kitchens, senior centers, or animal shelters.
• Help your tween discover a new interest like photography, writing, drama, or art.
• Enroll your child in a summer clinic or camp (sports clinics, dance camps, wilderness camps, etc. take place all summer long).
• Encourage outdoor exercise like swimming, running, riding bikes, and park-hopping with friends.
• Coordinate with other parents to organize a group outing to a water park, amusement park, sporting event, concert, museum, or library.

Know! is a program of Drug-Free Action Alliance with funding provided by the United Way of Central Ohio to empower parents to raise their children substance-free. Presented by Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems and funded by the Delaware County Office of Behavioral Health Division of Drug and Alcohol.

Parents Know! What To Do If Your Child's Friend is Using

“I found out my child’s friend is smoking marijuana, now what? Do I tell this child’s parents? Does this mean my child is using too? Should I forbid my child from hanging around with this kid?”

 

 

Parent-to-Parent: Put yourself in the other parents’ shoes. If someone knew your child was experimenting with or using drugs and didn’t tell you, would you be upset? Of course you would. Parents are the first line of defense against drugs. But in order for parents to intervene and help, they must be aware of the situation. Even if it is uncomfortable, it is important (potentially life-saving) to share this valuable information with the other parents.

 

Friends Matter: Just because your child’s friend is using, doesn’t necessarily mean your child is using. However, youth who spend time with friends who drink or use other drugs, are automatically at an increased risk of “joining in.” Youth say one of the biggest reasons they begin experimenting with substances is due to the pressure they feel from their alcohol or other drug-using friends.

 

Encourage Healthy Relationships: Unfortunately, we cannot hand pick our children’s friends. And even if you try to cut all ties with a particular friend, you can’t be certain your child will too. What you can do is remind your child that a healthy friendship involves maintaining your own voice and point of view and that a true friend will not try to control or pressure you to do something you do not want to do, like drinking, smoking or using other drugs.

 

What’s a parent to do?

• Get to know your child’s friends and their parents.
• Monitor (and limit, if necessary) your child’s time spent with certain friends.
• Do not allow an over-night with a child you suspect smokes, drinks or uses other drugs.
• Be present (as much as possible) when your child has friends in your home.
• If you cannot be home, make sure another trusted adult supervises when friends are over.
• Randomly call or text your child to check in when he/she is at a friend’s house.
• Establish open communication with other parents to check in on your child or to alert them of something happening with their child.

 

 

 

Know! is a program of Drug-Free Action Alliance with funding provided by the United Way of Central Ohio to empower parents to raise their children substance-free. Presented by Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems and funded by the Delaware County Office of Behavioral Health Division of Drug and Alcohol.

 

Parents Know! The Key to a Safe and Drug-Free Summer Break

Summer Break is highly anticipated for most children, as they look forward to some time off school. For many parents this means kids at home alone or kids hanging out with their friends. Research shows that unsupervised teens are three times more likely to engage in risky behaviors like smoking, drinking and using other drugs.

(TheAntiDrug.Com: Monitoring Skills)

Let’s talk about some other “firsts” (SAMHSA)

• Everyday, 8,000 kids take their first drink of alcohol.

• Everyday, 8,000 kids use an illicit drug for the first time.

• Everyday, 6,000 kids smoke marijuana for the first time.

• Everyday, 2,000 kids try their first prescription painkiller (for non-medical purposes).

To avoid these “firsts” for your child this spring break:

• Safeguard all over-the-counter and prescription medications.

• Lock the liquor cabinet and make any other alcohol inaccessible.

• Make clear your expectations regarding smoking, drinking and using other drugs.

• Set rules as to which friends (if any) are allowed over while you’re gone.

• Know where your child is and who he/she is with at all times.

• Check in with your child throughout the day with a quick call or text.

Know! is a program of Drug-Free Action Alliance with funding provided by the United Way of Central Ohio to empower parents to raise their children substance-free. Presented by Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems and funded by the Delaware County Office of Behavioral Health Division of Drug and Alcohol.

Parents Know! What to Say if Your Child Asks, "Did You Ever Do Drugs?"

For any parent who has ever tried marijuana or any other drug, it’s a question likely to make you cringe, “Mom, dad, did you ever do drugs?” But believe it or not, you can actually use your past experiences with drugs or alcohol to your advantage. In a recent national survey, while some parents fear that revealing their past drug use will send their child the wrong message, the majority of teens say they want their parents to be honest and that openness will help them to be more responsible in their choices.

The conversation could go a number of different ways, but the main point is to make your child feel comfortable listening and talking with you. Remember, you’re not in a confessional, nor are you on trial. Fine details are not required. What is most important is listening, slowing down the conversation, encouraging feedback and communicating so that your child will hear what you’re saying.

PARENTS, TRY SOMETHING LIKE THIS:

I tried marijuana because my friends were doing it and I really wanted to fit in. I was afraid they wouldn’t like me if I didn’t join in.

Do you ever feel pressure like that?

Everyone makes mistakes and this was a big one for me. It caused me do some really dumb things too. It’s hard to talk about, but I’m telling you because you mean so much to me. It’s worth me being embarrassed if it will help you make a smarter choice.

And in case you’re wondering, I am not giving you permission to use drugs or alcohol. I am not going to lecture you, but I want you to know I am very against you even trying them.

Know! is a program of Drug-Free Action Alliance with funding provided by the United Way of Central Ohio to empower parents to raise their children substance-free. Presented by Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems and funded by the Delaware County Office of Behavioral Health Division of Drug and Alcohol.