Teen Drug Abuse Prevention
- Home Gravity -
Teen Drug Abuse Prevention - Home Gravity
has answers.
Home Gravity, is one of the answers to the question,
"How can I keep my teen from doing drugs?"
__________
One of the big issues that you will be faced with as a parent is,
'How much should my teen be just hanging around the house'?
I know many parents who are happy when their loud and messy teen gives them a break from the work and conflicts, that come with raising them, when they go to a movie or a friends, or whatever.
If you're honest, you have to admit that it is much less work if they're not there. But think about this: Where do you think they might find trouble? The youth have to get their drugs and alcohol outside of your house.
The more you attract them to your home, the less chance they are going to have to run into people who will sell them drugs or buy drugs for them.
Home Gravity is simply about drawing your kids back home and competing against the culture for the time and moral development of your child.
Here are some easy tips that I've learned from other people, and some I've learned on my own, to keep your teen drawn to your home.
*** Warning! You will be challenged to change your lifestyle and come out of your comfort zone here!!! But just remember this. - You blinked and they started walking, you blinked again and they started school, you blinked and now they're teenagers. Blink again, and they will be gone.
You know as well as I do how fast those years go by. So invest in them while you can.
Teen Drug Abuse Prevention 9 Tips
Teen Drug Abuse Prevention Tip #1.- Be honest with them.
Let them know if YOU have a drinking or drug problem and seek help. Are you obeying the laws yourself when it comes to drinking and driving, drug use, etc?
Practice what you preach and lead by example so you don't destroy their lives.
There are parents who buy booze for their kids, there are some that give them drugs. If you're one of those parents, get help. There are other links on this site to many organizations built to help you start a new day!
Teen Drug Abuse Prevention Tip #2.
- Wear ear plugs.
Let your youth and their friends pound the music (hopefully appropriate) while you do chores with your hearing protected.
Music is a huge part of who youth are today. Sure, when they're alone, most have cell phones or ipods to listen to, but when their friends are over, they should be able to listen to it without having to go to some other house where there is no mom or dad present.
Drug Prevention Tip #3. - Stock up on snacks. Lots of snacks. Cheap snacks. You know how teenagers eat.
Food can draw your child and his/her friends to your house faster than Elvis eating a deep fried peanut butter and banana sandwich. And you know it. For $10 you can buy about 4 bottles of pop or juice, and about 5 bags of chips. Where there's food, there's youth!
Teen Drug Abuse Prevention Tip #4.
- Movie nights.
Allow them to take over the main T.V. with their friends and crank a movie. Have lots of popcorn available.
Some parents that were good friends of ours had a family movie night where they produced about 10 metric tons of popcorn per movie and their teenagers valued those nights. If they don't want to be with you, get their friends to come over and watch and go read a book or something.
Teen Drug Abuse Prevention Tip #5.
- Sports.
Set up a basketball net. Buy skates. Second hand skates do not cost much. A basketball
Drug Prevention Tip #6.
- Video games.
Rock Band, Guitar Hero, Dance Dance Revolution, many online games can be healthy diversions and most of them are very affordable.
Almost everyone I know has a PS2 which supports Guitar Hero if you can't afford a PS3, Wii, or X-box 360. There are hundreds of awesome 1-4 player games for older systems. I still play these games myself and I have a PS3.
Nothing will eat up a weekend like a good video game so go for it. Even better, download a strategy guide and ask if they get stuck if you can help.
Even better yet, play the game with them or start your own game and compete who can find all the Easter eggs, fastest time, etc.
By no means am I promoting regular 12 hour sessions of Wrath of the Liche King or anything, but nights should be spent at home, not at parties where so many dangers are present now.
Video games are no longer limited to closet nerds like myself. They are mainstream and huge business. And many of them are very good clean fun - with moderation.
Teen Drug Abuse Prevention Tip #7.
- Road trips.
Going away once a month to another town or city for a movie, shopping
Drug Prevention Tip #8.
- Communicate with your friends parents.
If you don't know your son or daughter's friend's parents even a little, then you don't know what goes on at their house. There's something I have to say now. I hate to say it. But it's true.
Your child may be a playah!
Say it with me, "My child may be a conniving playah!"
Youth can be conniving. Helga says, "I'm going over to Brunhilda's." Brunhilda says, "I'm going over to Helga's." You need to be in contact with other parents to keep your children out of trouble.
Teen Drug Abuse Prevention Tip #9.
- Be flexible.
You may have plans that Friday night that may need to be changed so you can have your own child in your home with their friends.
Maybe you were planning on going to a friends house to play cards or watch a game. Bring them over instead. Don't worry.
That whatever it is can wait. It is not as important than giving your youth a safe and welcoming, drug-free environment.
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