Raising Healthy Kids

Teach Kids How to Manage Peer Pressure

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Alcohol Abuse, Drug Addiction, Raising Healthy Kids on March 9th, 2010

Peer pressure is one of the most powerful forces that a teen encounters in his early life. It is very disturbing to see most children straying from classes to hang out with their friends. These behaviors can be attributed to peer pressure; involving activities as harmless as going to the mall to those much more dangerous like doing drugs. How do you, as a parent, prepare yourself and your teen to face these real and probably unavoidable challenges?

peer presureIt is important first to teach your teen key issues like drugs, sex and alcohol and help him to make a stand on them. Inspire your child to be an advocate of these things; teaching him how to speak up and let others know he’s not a pushover. Teach your child to visualize him handling difficult situations. Sometimes, scripting out the reactions to some invitations can really help out in knowing what to do in these situations. These things usually follow when you teach your child the qualities of leadership. Encourage him to stand up to what he thinks is right.

Difficult situations and peer pressure truly tests our teens in the moments that they forget the consequences of making rash decisions. Giving in to something totally deviant from your character often causes distress, even depression.

There will be repercussions to going against the interests of your peers; some of these consequences are often a very big deal to most teens. Peer pressure is disabling and often times, we feel like we don’t have a choice anymore. But always remind your child that there is always a choice, and doing the right thing is the best choice.

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Developing a Steady EQ for Healthy, Drug-Free Kids

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Prevention, Raising Healthy Kids on March 8th, 2010

Many parents commit the fault of disregarding the importance of developing the Emotional Quotient (EQ) of a child. As much as the IQ (Intelligence Quotient) of a child is crucial to his future, so is the development of a good EQ.

EQWhat is EQ?

EQ is the kind of intelligence that teaches the child to handle his society and its many pressures. Most children with low EQ grow up to be unable to handle stressful situations and decisions and often end up being immature and unwise. People with low EQ may react to pressures met during adolescence or during adulthood with aggression or extreme passivity, with peer dependence or social withdrawal, with drug abuse or with early sexual encounters.

Who teaches EQ?

Developing the child’s EQ relies heavily on the parents, or those who have direct interactions with the child. A child, even during his early years, learns from their principle teachers – parents or guardians –by observation and practice. It is common for a child to imitate what the parents or guardians do. When a child is learning only how to speak, they often pick up the words by association. To introduce certain objects to the child, parents often repeatedly refer to day to day objects; calling it out to them by name. In the same way, a child develops his personality on the basis of his direct environment.

Methods of Developing EQ

There is a time in the life of a child that everything that a parent says becomes truth for him or her. Children learn from the parents, that is why it is important for adults to be a good example. There are numerous EQ developing techniques out there that can be utilized, but there is no one method that works for every child. It is up to the parents or guardians to apply what is best for their child.

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Common Secret Hiding Places of Drugs

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Prevention, Drug Addiction, Raising Healthy Kids on March 3rd, 2010

Drug paraphernalia can be difficult to detect. Nowadays, technology has successfully developed several ways to disguise these tools as just like everyday things. You must educate yourself with drug paraphernalia and how drugs look like to be sure that you don’t confuse drugs with harmless things and end up hurting your child because of wrong accusations.

As a parent, we cannot help but be on alert when there are indications that our child might be using abusive substances such as drugs and alcohol. It is the role of the parent to ensure our children’s safety and sometimes asking them up front just isn’t enough. That’s when we have to “get our hands dirty”.

hidden drugsYou walk in to your teen’s room and want do a search for substances. Where do you look first? You can start by checking his bags, his clothes, on his table, on and under his bed and on the floor. However, remember this: things aren’t always the way they seem. Be wary of everyday tools that seem out of place. Check his table, top of his cabinet, anywhere that things can be placed inconspicuously. You should expect that your teen will make it very hard for you to locate his secret stash. Go through the simplest things and check. There are known pipes for marijuana that is cleverly disguised as lipsticks and markers, so also be creative in your search.

Marijuana, crack and other drugs are usually hidden in places where our child would expect us never to be able to find. Look through shoes and their clothes cabinet. Marijuana is usually kept in small plastic bags which can be easily hidden away inside a shoe or in a suspicious hole in the house.

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What To Do When You Don’t Like Your Teen’s Friends

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Raising Healthy Kids on February 28th, 2010

There is so little you can do to truly influence your teen’s choice of friends. Sometimes, you approve of his or her choice; sometimes, you don’t. We can’t really blame parents if they often disapprove. It’s natural to be protective of our loved ones, especially given how potent peer pressure can be these days, but it is always best not to overdo it.

friendsWe all have the tendency to ‘judge a book by its cover’, as they say – just as many parents do to our teen’s friends. Just because you don’t like the way they dress does not necessarily mean you can’t possibly get along with them. There is a reason why your child is hanging out with him or her. Try your best to figure out why.

If your teen suddenly brings home with him a spiky-haired, tight-jean wearing, tattooed rocker guy and introduces him to you as his best friend, do not freak out! Take a breath. Remember that sometimes, good things come in strange packages. Try your very best not to openly judge your teen’s friends. Instead of judging, ask him questions about his friend. Simply being genuinely curious about your teen’s friends sends a message that you are interested in his life.

Parents want their children to hang-out with the right kind of people. They hate bad influences. But sometimes because of that over-protectiveness, we lose sight of the fact that people are imperfect. There’s no such thing as a perfect friend for your teen. Try your best to keep an open mind. Remember that the way you, as a parent, act around your teen’s friends plays a very big role on how your child sees you in general.

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Stay Involved Without Sabotaging Your Teen’s Social Life

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Raising Healthy Kids on February 27th, 2010

Parents usually commit the mistake of being too forward with their kids. Teens usually need space of their own, and it is important to remember that they have their own personalities that need and beg to be respected. Getting involved in a very important stage of development – adolescence — is very crucial, so care must be taken.

Communication

parent-teen commnicationThe ultimate key for any success in the relationship between teen and parent is communication. Talking with your teen means you want to be involved in your teen’s life. It may only take a few minutes a day to talk to the teens in order to understand and perhaps detect potential depression problems. Listen carefully and actively, and remember that you do not need to always give advice. Often, listening is enough.

Family Trips

Family trips and get-togethers are very effective to get to know your child. Going on a family trip is a great way to establish good communication lines between you and your child.

Adult-Supervised Activities

Activities like participation in organized sports, after-school programs or youth organizations are great ways to keep track of your child’s progress without necessarily you being there all the time. A parent can monitor his child’s progress and personality by asking school administrators, teachers and peers leading the activities.

It is also important that you should make your home available in case your teen wants to invite his or her friends over. Doing activities at home is great way to know your child’s friends and have a better idea of their activities. You can get to know your teen better if you were able to observe firsthand how he is around friends.

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Teen Dating Risks Parents Need to Know

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Prevention, Raising Healthy Kids on February 26th, 2010

Dating has gone a really long way. From candle-lit dinners, ballroom dancing to club raves and rock concerts, the dating game has definitely changed and evolved. Here are examples of teen dating risks parents should be careful about.

teen datingGroup Dates = Stronger Peer Pressure

Dating in groups has become common these days. Although the groups themselves do not pose any trouble whatsoever, but peer pressure can be much more potent when done in groups. In these group dates, teens may be pressured to explore forbidden things like alcohol, drugs or sex. Also, teens are more courageous to try out things when with friends. It is important for the parent to take action by speaking up and talking to their teen about these issues.

Afternoon Sex Dates

Studies have showed that dating teens usually have sexual intercourse in the afternoons between 3:00PM to 6:00 PM, when their parents are still at work. They usually like to sneak around when there is lesser school or parental supervision. The best way to prevent this is to always monitor your house. Try asking your neighbors to check on your house or try changing your own schedules every now and then, if possible. Also, always remind your teen about the realities and risks of early sexual intercourse and teenage pregnancy.

Date Rape Drugs

Inform your teens with the risks of date-rape drugs. These drugs are usually mixed with the alcoholic drinks during parties when the victim is unaware. To be safe, always be with somebody you trust. Make sure you never go out to a party alone and vulnerable, and do not accept drinks from strangers.

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