Drug abuse is one of the primary concern of parents whose children are in their teens. It is vital for the parents to take the right action to make sure that their kids stay in the best of health both physically and mentally. Drug abuse can affect both physical and mental health severely. Here are a few changes or additions you can do to your relationship with your children to make sure he/she does not walk into drug abuse.
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1. Be supportive.
This is a key habit you have to follow while raising a teenager irrespective of whether or not he has the pattern of drug abuse. Encourage your child’s every victory and support your child every time he/she fails. Make sure that he/she knows that you are proud of him. This is something you have to do yourself. Do not feel the need to share this responsibility with anyone else from your child’s social circle like his teachers, friends or others he/she is close to.
2. Teach your child negative actions have consequences.
Make sure you give your children a piece of mind and a good understanding of how to differentiate right from wrong. As a parent, you can do it easily since you are the first person to be both a loving and an authoritative figure in the child’s life. Always understand that being strict with your children is also part of your love for the child. Make sure you are strict in a specific measure until you feel that you can trust his decisions.
3. Be involved in your child’s life.
Make sure you play a major role in your child’s life. Rather than just being there for him, make sure you understand what he/she is interested in and why it is so. Make sure he/she feels the need to share his every interest with you since you are the one who is going to be the happiest person knowing he/she has done such things.
4. Don’t assume it couldn’t happen to your family.
There is no way to analyze your child’s social life and judge if he/she slips into drug abuse. It can happen to anybody irrespective of their social agenda. Judging your child from a distance and assuming that he/she is all and well is the worst thing you can do for him. Make sure you are watching and have the proper checks in his life.
5. Educate yourself about the signs of drug addiction.
Make sure you know what all drug abuse can do in a person’s life. Be on the lookout for such patterns in your child’s life. Nobody else can be a much better judge that you will ever be to your child. If you are doubtful act upon your doubts. In a worst case, even a drug test can become necessary.
6. Be the best parent you can be.
Nobody is perfect as a parent or even as a person. But being selfless towards your child is considered an essential quality a parent is to have. Be a parent who can always align with your child’s needs till a certain age. Always be ready to head an ear to your child whenever he/she needs someone to talk to. As much as they respect you, your children must feel your presence in their life.
7. Keep your eyes open for signs of abuse by friends
Being abused by others at a very young age can be a very quick road to addiction. If your child is not comfortable with any of his/her friends or other people with whom he/she used to be comfortable previously, you need to watch out. Your child is most probably not going to tell you what happened. You have to take it up as a responsibility to have a close eye on your child’s social relationships and changes in them.
8. Build self-esteem in your child.
A proper sense of self-esteem will always steer your child’s mind clear of such habits. Low self-esteem is not very good for your child in whatsoever way. In extreme cases, he/she might need to get treated by a professional. Not everybody is born with easily noticeable personal or professional skills. As a parent, it is our duty to nurture our child’s strengths and make him believe in himself.
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