Motivation

How to motivate your child to stay off Drugs

1. First and foremost be a role model yourself - It not enough that you are not utilizing illegal drugs your self. Set high standards and emphasize strong moral values. Make sure that children know what your standards are and that they are expected to live up to them as well. Explain to them why having standards and values are important to everyone. Praise and reward them when they meet your expectations and make sure they understand that there are consequences when they do not. Most of all stay consistent.

2. Insure that your children have positive activities to keep then busy – Find extra curricular activities that they will enjoy. Sports, artistic venues, clubs at school, community organizations, all of these have been shown to have very positive influences on our children. Studies clearly show that a child who is busy is much less likely to be involved in illegal drug use.

3. Talk to your children about the dangers of Illegal Drugs and Alcohol as soon as possible – Take some time to do homework yourself. Understand the current culture and how illegal drugs are being used today. The world has changed and you must keep up to date. Some parents think Marijuana is harmless and not addictive. Did you know that in today’s world it is mixed with all kinds of highly addictive substances? Find up- to-date resources, sit down with your children, and talk to them in a friendly non-confrontational manner. Explain the dangers and let them know that you love them so much, that you want to protect them.

4. Know your child’s friends and their parents – While you may set high standards, others may not. Take the time to understand all the various environments that your child may be in. Make sure that you can trust the people who are around your children to protect them. Stay connected with your child even when they are not at home. Know where they are and insure that they check in on a regular basis.

5. Be involved in your child’s life – Make sure that your child understands how important family is in their lives. Have dinners together, play games, attend sporting events, stay involved in their activities. Children need to know you care about them. When they are older, they will start to drift away and want more time to be with their friends, while that is okay, do not disappear. Keep open and honest conversation alive and let them know that while you trust them to make many of their own decisions you will still be there to help them with their problems.