Your Child Has an Addiction Problem...Now What?

The signs are there, your child has an addiction to drugs or alcohol.
Now what? The first thing to do is to leave the guilt on the door step. Ultimately, even if you have an addiction yourself, your child is responsible for their addiction. It is VITAL to their recovery for them to accept responsibility for their addiction, and not push it off on you. Get them professional help ASAP; this is not a problem that you can handle on your own. The sooner that you get them help, the better chance they have of recovery. Your role in your child’s recovery is to get them help, and to make sure that you are not playing the role of enabler. Help for addictive behaviors takes on many forms: residential facilities, support groups, individual counseling to name a few. Decide on the program that is best suited to helping your child and then commit to it. Give it some time to start working. If you see no improvement, try a different program. Don’t just give up; this is the life or should I say death of your child that you are talking about. It is also important to get some support for you and your family as well. AA has some wonderful groups for family members that have a high success rate

Signs of Drug Abuse...If Your A Parent You Need to Know This

This is a list of some of the common signs that your child is using drugs. This is by no means all of the signs of drug use, just some of the most common and easy to recognize. Your child will not have all of these signs if they are using drugs. Don't fool yourself into believing that your child does not have a problem because they are exhibiting only a few of the signs. The signs of drug use include: becoming withdrawn, weight loss, starts doing poorly in school, extremely moody (but then again what teen isn’t moody), glassy eyes, missing prescription drugs, alcohol or money at home, and a change of friends.

The Life of Amy Winehouse and a Teachable Moment on Drug Abuse

Take the time to talk to your children about the tragic loss of the very young and talented Amy Winehouse. Use this death as a starting point for a very serious discussion with your children about the dangers of drug use. Children and young adults tend to believe that they are infallible and therefore will take risks that may end in their death. It may just sink in that engaging in dangerous behaviors and drug use leads to death even in young people.

Drug Talk.. Include Prescription Drugs, Tobacco and Alcohol

When talking to your children about drugs include a discussion about the difference between prescription drugs and illegal drugs. Make sure that they understand that using drugs that have been prescribed for someone else is considered illegal drug use. Many children feel that prescription drugs prescribed to anyone is safe for them to use, let them know that this isn't true. Many prescription drugs have side effects that they may not be aware of.

Talk about alcohol and tobacco being illegal drugs as well. This may be a problem for many parents as they may use these substances. Let them know that these drugs have ill effects on a body that is still growing which is why they are illegal for children.

What If You Child Asks You If You Ever Tried Drugs...and You Did?

What if they ask you if you ever used drugs? Many parents find it difficult to talk with their children about the dangers of using drugs because they are afraid that their children will ask if they ever tried drugs when they were younger. They fear being seen as hypocritical. If this question does come up and you did experiment when you were younger, be honest. Share with them that you are trying to save them from making the same mistakes that you made when you were their age. Let them know what your views are now about drugs and why.

Breast Milk Baby Doll...You're Kidding Right?

Breast Milk Babies, and reality TV shows called Dance Moms and Toddlers and Tiaras...What message are we sending our children? I think that it is imperative to allow our kids to be kids. I left the "just" out of that last statement because I think that putting it in implies that being a kid is settling for less. If our children have any chance of growing up to be normal productive adults, we need to allow them time to play. Reality comes and bites us in the butt soon enough, let your kid be a kid for as long as they can. Instead of carting them off to some beauty pageant, sporting activity or having them mimic some grown up activity, play with them. Playing with them may even reduce the stress that you are feeling given todays fast paced, always connected society.

When thinking about placing your children in extracurricular activities be sure to consider whether you're doing it for them or for you. Often times we place our children in activities because of something that is lacking in our own lives. If you find that your child's activity is filling your own void in your life consider trying to find something of your own to fill that need. There are "Mrs." Beauty Contests, and dance classes for adults available for you to participate in if that's what floats your boat. Try hard not to live your life through the life of your child.

Drug Use Talk With Your Children...the What and When

When should you begin talking with your child about drugs? Begin talking to your preschoolers about developing healthy habits. Yes, you read that right Preschoolers. I suggest starting this young because they are of an age that they still see you as all knowing and all powerful. School-aged children are beginning to care about what their friends have to say, but they do appreciate having you set boundaries. They wouldn’t clue you into that fact, so don’t bother asking them. This is a good time to talk to them about what makes a good friend and how they can attract loyal friends. They are still willing to listen to what you have to say and the friendships that they are building now will become all important in young adolescence when peer pressure rears its ugly head. Young adolescents (age 10-15) are in a period of great insecurity and self doubt. They are vulnerable to peer pressure and drawn to quick fixes like alcohol or drugs. This a good time to change your approach when it comes to talks about drugs. Begin emphasizing the affects that drugs have on the things that they care about: their looks, sports and driving. They may just pay attention.

Dreading Your Vacation...Some Ideas to Make It Morre Fun

Are you dreading summer because of an upcoming family vacation? Here are some tips to increase the fun and decrease the anxiety during your next vacation.
1) Begin planning by not over plan things to do. Having things planned for every waking moment of your trip just makes everyone tired and cranky. Living in the happiest place on earth, I have watched many families make this mistake and I am here to tell you that it doesn't end pretty.

2) Plan things to do during the traveling. Kids who are kept busy during traveling, will arrive a lot happier. Whether you are driving or flying doesn't matter, pack snacks (separate bag for each of you works well) and bring some book and games for all members of the family.

3) Try to stay in one place. Packing and moving around can be very stressful.

4) Use public transportation when possible. Driving around in a place that is unfamiliar can be stressful and nothing makes people crankier than getting lost on a trip.

5) Family members have different interests, try to plan an activity for each family member's interest. Doing the things that each member loves with them may bring your family members closer together.

A Humorous Quote to Get the Drug Talk Started

Here is a humorous quote that you might use if you are finding it difficult to begin talking about drug use with your child. Many people start lectures with an ice breaker to lighten the mood, why not try using an ice breaker to lighten the mood of a difficult conversation.

I tried sniffing Coke once, but the ice cubes got stuck in my nose. ~Author Unknown

A Quote for Your Children about Dangers of Drug Use

Experimenting with drugs is like target practice where your head is the bulls eye.-Michael Josephson

Prep Time for Talking with Your Children About Drug Use

It is important to do your homework before starting a discussion with your child about drug use. Research, making sure to use reliable sources, the damaging effects that specific drugs can have on the body, and the current trends in drug use. Some of the ways that children are getting themselves high today were things that we never thought of when we were younger. Whoever thought of snorting bath crystals or smoking potpourri to get high. Times are really changing when it comes to drug use, make sure you are current on these trends.

Drug Use and Our Children...The Statistics

At the beginning of each series that I write to you about, I try to start by painting a picture of how important the topic is to the well being of our children. When it comes to the topic of drug use, it quite literally is a topic of life and death.

National surveys report that the average age that children first try alcohol is eleven and marijuana is twelve. Keep in mind that this is the average, so many children are reported to have tried it much earlier, if this is the average.

The good news is that illegal drug use is down among teens and it is believed to be due to education about drug use. he bad news, prescription drug use among teens is on the rise. This rise may be due to a belief that prescription drugs are safer than illegal drugs. Alcohol kills six and a half times more teens than all other drugs combined.

These statistics may be surprising to you but here is one that should send you running to have these talks with your children. Teenagers whose parents had frequent discussions with them about the dangers of drug use are 42% less likely to use drugs.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of "Alcohol"

Kudos to Daniel Radcliffe, not for his most recent movie or his stint on Broadway, but for his admission of his battle with alcohol abuse. Too often celebrities achieve notoriety for the outrageous things that they do in the public eye, sending the message to our teens that alcohol use, drug use and promiscuous sex are cool. Thank you Daniel for sending a different message to our young people and being a good role model.

Why is Everyone Bent Out of Shape about Fast Food Places Serving Alcohol?

I am not sure why everyone seems to be so bent out of shape about fast food restuarants serving alcohol and no one seems to be all that concerned about our theme parks serving alcohol on every corner. I am much more concerned with the fact that Universal Studios and Disney serve alcohol. Atleast the parents who are partaking in drinking at a fast food restaurant are usually eating something and not just walking around drinking. Think about it, everyday thousands of adults take their children to a crowded, hot theme park and quench their thirst with a beer or alcohol. I don't think that crowds, rides, family fun and alcohol go together all that well.

The next time that you are out at a restuarant or theme park consider the message that you are sending your children if you are drinking alcohol. Save the drinking for times other than family time.

Should a Six Year Old Testify in Court?

It seems as if this issue comes up every few years in a high profile trial, but in reality this is an issue that the court faces every day. Is it right to have a child testify in court? Can testify in court have psychological ramification for a child? You don't have to be a counselor to answer this question. If you have ever testified in a trial, you know how difficult it can be. Should we expose our children to the anxiety and scrutiny associated with being a witness? According to the court system, as long as a child understands the difference between the truth and a lie, they are eligible to testify. I am not going to argue the validity of this ruling, but I do have a few words to say to a judge that believes that the defendant has the right to have the child testify in the courtroom. Shame on you. It is psychologically damaging enough for the child to testify at all, but having them sit there in front of a person may have done who horrible things in front of them or to them is exposing them to lifelong psychological affects.

I have a few words for Mr. Bruce Beresford-Redman who is fighting to have his six year old daughter testify at his extradition hearing regarding the murder of his wife in Mexico. I think that your actions shout "guilty". Even if you are not guilty of the murder, I consider making your child testify to save your own skin equates to a form of child abuse. Make a good parenting choice, stick up for her rights not yours.

Casey Anthony Not Guilty...What Now?

Casey Anthony was found not guilty of murdering her daughter. No matter how you feel about the verdict, this is an excellent time to talk to your children about our court system, perjury, juries, reasonable doubt, and the death penalty.

In addition, I think this trial has given our children a good understanding of what a Crime Scene Investigator really does instead of the sensationalized depiction of television. Hours of testimony about bugs, hair fibers and computer analysis gives us all incite into their less than glamorous job. When our children are deciding on a career, providing them with accurate information about what they will be doing helps them to go into a career with eye's wide open.

Experiences or Things: Which Makes More of a Difference in Your Child's Life?

Consider giving your children experiences instead of things, they last a whole lot longer. A friend is providing his teenage son with one such experience this Friday that is connected to an experience his father gave him over 30 years ago. Chip is taking his son, Zack, to the last space shuttle launch on Friday. His father took him to the first launch of the shuttle. Cost: gas to get there, Sharing a Memory: priceless.

Providing your children with experiences instead of things may not be popular with them now but the lasting impression will stick with them long past the usefulness of the latest gadget that they are longing for.

Are We Giving Too Much Attention to Casey Anthony?

I am concerned that the message that the Casey Anthony case is sending to some slightly off kilter parents, who would do anything to gain notority, is all you have to do to become famous is murder your child. Casey Anthony has been in the national spotlight for almost two months and on Florida's radar for almost three years. Enough is enough. We as parents can send a message to the media that this is not the type of behavior we want to put a spotlight on. For those of you whose eye's are glued to every second of the trial, take a good hard look at what has you so captivated. It probably wasn't the countless hours of testimony by experts about the hair fibers, death smell and bugs. It may be that watching such a dysfunctional family helps us to feel better about the type of parents that we are. Turning off the T.V. and going to do something fun with your children to celebrate thaat you are not a member of the Anthony family may give you an even better feeling about your parenting. If you feel that you will miss something, no need for worries, you can get caught up during the hourly news updates on every channel.

One thing that has certainly come out into the light of day is the fact that children who grow up in dysfunctional homes often times grow into dysfunctional adults.