tips for parents
12 Steps for Successful Parenting:
  1. Lead by example.
    2.  The “Do as I say, not as I do” rule does not work! Children will emulate their parents. Studies have shown that parents significantly influence their children’s choices in life.
  2. Be consistent with your rules, especially regarding drinking, smoking and other drug use.
    3.  You must give a clear and concise message about drugs, alcohol and nicotine use. Children will witness good decision making skills. You need to have a “No Use” talk early and often, and not have it be a one-time speech.
  3. Establish resiliency skills in your children by providing them with the tools necessary to make good choices.
    4.  An example would be, to encourage your children to make friends. Children who don’t have the skills to develop friendships often turn to substances as a way of being accepted.
  4. Kids should know the facts about drug use. Get involved in your child’s life!
    5.  Know who their friends are. Assist them with their schoolwork and the challenges they are facing at school. Have meals together as often as possible. Studies have shown that kids whose families who eat together at least 5 times a week are less likely to be involved with drugs or alcohol. Always praise them for their successes and good behavior!
  5. Stay involved in your child’s life.
    6.  Stay current to the friend’s they are involved with. Be consistent with helping them on schoolwork, projects and sports. Don’t slack off on regular meals with the family eating together. Structure and consistency is vital. Always remember to praise them for proper choices and actions.
  6. Help your Child to reject peer pressure.
    7.  Kids don’t usually get drugs or alcohol from strangers. They get them from friends. Your kids need to be taught to be strong and know that it is OK to say no to their friends. Kids who learn a lot about the risks of drugs at home are up to 50% less likely to try drugs than their peers who don’t get drug information from their parents.
  7. Get your child involved in supervised activities.
    8.  Children involved in after school activities or programs were less likely to have used cigarettes, alcohol, or illicit drugs in the past than youths who did not participate in supervised activities during the past year.
  8. Check in with your child after school.
    9.  In the hours of 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM drug use, vandalism, mischief, go up. If your child will be with friends or at home, make sure there is adult supervision.
  9. Maintain open lines of communication with your children.
    10.  Speak with them regarding their lives, experiences and challenges. Listen, intently, to what they are saying and respond with honest answers.
  10. Transitions from elementary school to middle school can be a rough time.
    11.  Your child may seem young, yet they are mixed with older children who might already be using. The likelihood of drug use increases due to the new surroundings and to your child trying to fit in and seek acceptance.
  11. Did you ever use drugs?
    12.  Most parents dread this question. Unless the answer is no, most parents have no idea of what to say. You want your kids to follow your rules and you don’t want them to hold your past as an example to follow. Many experts recommend that you give an honest answer but, that you don’t have to explain every detail. Avoid giving them more information than they asked for. Use your discussion as a time to talk openly about what got you involved with substances and how they could avoid similar situations.
  12. Ask for help!
    13.  No one knows all the answers. Parenting is hard work; you do not have to know everything about substance abuse. EDAN members can help!