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| What Parents Can Do |
| Show your children how you want them to behave. Children learn by watching you. If you want your children to read, let them see you reading. If you want your children to stay calm when angry, then you stay calm when you are angry.
View discipline as a way to teach, not as punishment. Children learn from their mistakes, but they need to know what to do instead. Establish rules and routines and follow them consistently.
Hug your children to let them know you think they're special and that you love them without reservation.
Stay Informed! Drugs like Meth are gaining wide use. Read more Here. |
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Messages That Work
Parents, you can provide good models for your children by what you do and what you avoid doing.
Show that you value your freedom to think and act independently—you don't do something because everyone is doing it. This helps your children see that unwanted peer pressure can be rejected.
Be consistent in your words and actions. For example, a phone call interrupts your dinner and you say, "Tell them I'm not home yet." The message your children hear is that it's okay to be dishonest for your own convenience.
Demonstrate your respect for your children's lives and show concern by being a good listener. Be sincere, ask questions, and use a touch or a look for encouragement.
Be cautious in using prescription or over-the-counter medicines as a quick fix for pain or stress. Your example can help counter the media messages that discomfort can be cured by chemicals.
Be aware of how your own use of alcohol can influence children. Your children will notice how much you drink and why. Avoid using excuses for drinking, like having a rough day. Your drinking behavior tends to be the drinking behavior your children will have when they grow up.
Talk honestly about stress and conflict in your own life. Children need to know that such struggles are a normal part of life. They have a good model when they see that you are coping with problems without relying on alcohol and other drugs.
If you are trying to change something in your behavior—such as quitting smoking or losing weight—be willing to talk about what works and what doesn't.
Show that spending time with your children is something you value and look forward to. If you are too tired or too busy, they're likely to imitate your behavior.
Accept the role of parent as your responsibility—let someone else be their friend.
Make parenting a priority. Be there!
Remember that teenagers need parental supervision as much as toddlers do. It's just a different kind.
