But if your warnings repeatedly go unheeded, you will need to establish and enforce some meaningful consequences. Loss of driving, dating or even phone privileges for an extended period of time may be in order. Don t deny or ignore the problem. If you do, it is likely to continue to worsen until your family life is turned inside out. Don t wallow in false guilt.
Most parents assume a great deal of self-blame when a drug problem erupts in their home.
If you do carry some responsibility for what has happened, face up to it, confess it to God and your family, and then get on with the task of helping your child. This column, excerpted from Focus on the Family's Complete Book of Baby and Child Care, is used with permission of Tyndale House Publishers. It may be copied in its entirety without permission for noncommercial use. Click to review other excerpts . Focus on the Family.