| |
| |
|
Parenting Information |
|
|
|
Monitoring Your Teens for Drug Use Without Appearing to be Spying
Even if your teenagers do not use drugs, you still need to keep an eye on them. It is much better to realize that things could change, and anticipate that your teen COULD become a user. Essentially, it is not wise to make assumptions about topics such as drug use. Also, having been a high school teacher afforded me the opportunity to witness peer pressure, and how even good kids could be convinced to try drugs - just to fit in. It is important that you play a proactive role in ensuring that your teenagers and the rest of your family remains drug free. About drug use Initially, I learned that the signs of drug use included three basic symptoms:
What I later discovered was that not seeing these symptoms only provides a false sense of security regarding teenagers and potential drug use. The above behaviors apply more to signs of "drug addiction," as opposed to "experimental" drug use. Teens who experiment with drugs don't start out addicted so logically, they do not show any symptoms. They generally look healthy and nothing seems to be wrong. In fact, teens can casually use drugs for over a year before their parents would even suspect any drug or alcohol use. Many teenagers who decide to experiment with drugs start out casually, using them with friends and then progressing towards regular use. It is important that you look for clues pertaining to casual drug use so that if your teen is prone, you can proactively deal with it. What you can do You need to monitor your teen's behavior and watch for signs of drug use, without appearing to be spying. Your goal should be to prevent him or her from feeling free to experiment with drugs or alcohol. The best way to accomplish this is to keep abreast of your teen's activities and friends. You will be able to spot a problem early if you keep your eyes and ears open, and believe that YOUR teenager is capable of using drugs. Many parents get blind-sided by thinking that their teen would never try drugs. Only then will you be ready to intervene if the situation presents itself. The following are ten ways to monitor your teenager's behavior and watch for signs of drug use, without appearing to be spying: 1. Hug your teen as soon as s/he arrives home. Check for odors of possible marijuana smoke or alcohol. Remember that cologne or chewing gum may be used to hide the odor. 2. Teenagers under the influence will usually go straight to their room when they arrive home. While making eye contact, hold a brief conversation. Check for bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and their sense of balance. 3. Keep the lights on and stay up until your teenager comes home. 4. Ask your teen for the time and watch the way s/he looks at his or her watch. 5. If your teenager unexpectedly wants to spend the night at a friend's house, and you have concerns, say no. 6. Maintain a flexible schedule. Be unpredictable so your teen cannot find it easy to plan around your activities. 7. Keep abreast of what your teen is really doing when away from home. Meet their friends and their parents and participate in mutual activities. This is a very effective form of networking. 8. Ask your neighbors to discretely keep an eye on any activities that may take place while you are not home. 9. Check to see how your teens are doing in school. Ask their teachers if there is any cause for concern or if your teen has been behaving differently. 10. After you meet your teenager's friends, always ask them to identify themselves when they call. Get to know them. Always encourage your teens to invite their friends over while you are home. Remember, your goal should be to prevent your teenager from feeling free to experiment with drugs or alcohol. The best way to accomplish this is to keep abreast of their activities and friends using the above methods. Lastly, but most important, talk to your teenager on a regular basis about the drug use she witnesses, and how she feels about it. Also, if she has been approached, have her describe how she handled the situation. Strive for honesty and ask how you can help her to remain drug free. 2004 by V. Michael Santoro and Jennifer S. Santoro, All Rights Reserved. About The Author V. Michael Santoro M. Ed. coauthored, "Realizing the Power of Love," How a father and teenage daughter became best friends...and how you can too, with his teenage daughter Jennifer S. Santoro. Visit their Web site at http://www.dads-daughters.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Parenting - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Helping Your Child to Deal with Change Fall marks the beginning of many new things both for our children and for us. Starting something new always means change and all of us respond to change differently. Just Average What do you mean average? Not good? Just doing good enough?That's what came out in Joshua's report card recently. Looking back, I wasn't too bright a child either. Loving Your Step-Children Loving your step-child can be both simple and hard. It is not enough for parents, step parents and extended family to feel a deep glow of love for the children in your circle of influence. Dads, Give them Household Chores You have a chore to do around the house, and yourkids want to help out. You know it might be nicefor them to help, but you're feeling a bit impatient. Second Letter to My Daughter Dear Camille,As I thumb through the photographs that I carry with me always in my briefcase, it's hard to fathom that the short haired, smiling baby holding a crawfish and wiggling its claws has turned into the beautiful goldilocks girl that demands the stage and wants so much to sing.I feel like such a cliché-all those veteran parents telling us how quickly you would grow up, how it would be over before we know it, how we had best pay attention before it all ended. Bring On The Music To Help Your Child Learn Faster And More Effectively Do you remember how you first learned the alphabet? I am quite sure that the majority of us learnt it by singing the ABC Song: 'ABCDEFG-HIJKLMNOP-QRS-TUV-WXY-and-Z.. Late Night Adventures with Your Children Vacations are fun ! Weekends with the family are nice. But, Late Night Adventures are "simply marvelous". Develop Your Childs Genius: The King of Games - the Game of Kings Many people still think that the game of chess is appropriate for old people. In their mind's eye, they see 2 elderly people sitting across from each other in the park, playing a game of chess. When Kids Hurt Parents The cruel callous remarks made by our offspring can sometimes wound us deeply, to the very core of our soul. The hurtful words of our children can scar us like no other. Avoid Weight Problems In Children Although, not a well publicized statistic, childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past two decades-15% of American children are obese according to the U.S. How Do I Get My Child to Read? Well first off, please to don't institute the ½ hour of mandatory reading that so many schools and parents are so keen on these days. You want to encourage a life-long love of reading and frankly you would be much more likely to succeed by banning reading in your house then by turning reading into yet another chore that needs to be done. Back to School Success Tips Q. With the school year just beginning, what can we do as parents to help make this a successful year for our teen-ager and our family?A. Fraternal Twin Parenting Concerns Identity and Your Fraternal TwinFor the most part, throughout this article I refer to a fraternal twin in the singular rather than the plural "twins." This is to emphasize the individuality of each twin. Diagnosing ADHD in Your Child, an Introduction Everyone in a private practice setting who works with children or adults is going to have their own opinion on how Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - ADD or ADHD - should be diagnosed. Some clinics take the perspective that "more is good," and will recommend a large battery of tests, often costing many thousands of dollars. Top Ten Reasons to Hold Family Meetings 1. Make stronger connections among individuals and, therefore, creates a closer family. Americas Public School System --- Brutal and Spartan The public school system in America has become a dismal failure. But education in many other times and cultures has been quite successful. Life Lessons in a Glass of Beer It was blisteringly hot last Saturday. As I took that first sip of a cold quality beer I knew it was sure to ease my thirst. My Stomach Hurts - I Cant Go to School Today! It's the third time this week that Sam has complained of a headache or Shaundra has an upset stomach. Daniel cries before leaving school and Tanya won't get out of the car upon arrival to the school parking lot. My Teenaged Parents Frankly, as a single parent of young children, I struggled. But, as the single parent of teenagers, I stunk! Faced with the reality of children who could (and did) do whatever they really, really wanted to do, I was often baffled. Talk Your Child Clever Most parents can hardly wait for their baby to say its first word. This usually happens between the nine months and a year.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
.jpg){kind=small}
