October 23-31 marks Red Ribbon Week. Across the country, schools will participate in the Red Ribbon Campaign, which serves to instruct youth and inspire involvement in drug prevention actions. The National Red Bow Week theme this year is usually: Be Happy. Be Brave. Be Drug Free™.

Did you know that research shows that parents who else talk to their kids regularly about drugs have children that are 42% less likely to misuse substances? However, only one-fourth of teens report in fact having these conversations. Exactly why? It may be that will talking with children regarding being drug- and alcohol-free can feel awkward; nevertheless, it doesn’t have to be this way. Strategy ahead, practice often, plus follow these straightforward ideas.

Make the discussion regarding tobacco, drugs, and alcohol ongoing and informal. The particular days of a single, heavy-hitting conversation are over. Kids of all ages are usually bombarded with messages about alcohol and drugs in the hallways and on their own screens. From an earlier age, communicate with your children about drugs plus alcohol regularly, openly, plus in informal settings over time.

Inquire gently, plus broadly. Drugs and alcoholic beverages relate to sensitive elements of life like identity, interpersonal bonds, and independence. Speaking about these things can make your child feel vulnerable. Start with curiosity. Ask exactly what they are seeing, listening to, and experiencing related to medicines or alcohol. Being open, inquisitive, and comfortable can make it okay for your own child to do the same.

Remember, it’s in no way “too early” to talk to your own kids about being drug-free. Kids are exposed in order to alcohol and drugs in social environments and the media from a really young age. How a person approaches the conversation needs to reflect your child’s age group.

Here are some suggestions:

Ages 3-5: Point out there great healthy habits may make them feel, but also bring their attention to the dangers that will are within their environment, such as household cleaners. Use this particular example to make clear that will things that are dangerous are not always labeled – and they ought to never accept or ingest anything from someone that is usually not a trusted grownup.

Ages 5-8: Balancing the particular influence of peers plus media by letting them know how you are feeling regarding drugs and alcohol. Ask your child about exactly what they see in particular media. What do the messages seem to be to state about medications? Are they glamorized, or even are consequences shown?

Ages 8 and Up: Otherwise your child gets more independent, reiterates your rules about drugs and be very clear on consequences for splitting them. Practice saying “No” using examples of various scenarios. Remind them that will they shouldn’t continue relationships with kids who provide the drugs. Feeling forced by social situations can stress your adolescent. Help remind them to talk to you about difficult emotions. Build your child’s self-esteem, creativeness, and independence by adoring them often, and inspire these to do activities that build their talents, abilities, and community involvement.

Make sure your child understands you are only a telephone call away. At some stage, they will be subjected to or participate in consuming or drug use. Create sure they know: security is more important than anything else. Remind all of them that under no situations should they ever drive or get in the car with someone under the particular influence. Ask them in order to call you to get a trip at any time, along with no questions asked in the time. Ask a close aunt, uncle, or family members friend to extend this offer as well, and increase your child’s system of safe support.