Here s how to get the conversation flowing, whether your kids are six or 16. Be honest about your own past. But you can explain what you learned from your drug use, notes Simon. After all, they know I grew up in the '70s. Teens who ve learned from their parents about the risks of drug use are half as likely to start using them than are those whose parents keep mum on the subject.
Facts can be a very potent deterrent.
Build children's self-esteem. It s easier for kids to say no to peer pressure if they feel confident in themselves and have a sense that it s OK to be different from the crowd. That kind of self-esteem comes from spending time with adults who tell them they're great, over and over again. Indeed, lack of parental guidance is a key factor in determining which children do and don t end up using drugs. Keep the topic open for discussion.