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 From the day our children are born we dream they develop into happy, strong and confident individuals. We look forward to watching them standing one day with their cap and gown grinning from ear to ear and feeling so proud of themselves. Getting them through those school years is key. When our child leaps from elementary to middle school, it could be a very frightening time in their lives. Learning their way around a new school, mixing with older kids, facing puberty, and, most likely, confronting decisions about drug and alcohol use for the first time.
When a child enters middle school, their exposure to drugs increases dramatically. The sad truth is that 65% of all kids will try cigarettes, alcohol or illegal drugs between the 5th and 8th grade and 65% of all kids who start drinking before the age of 15 will try illegal drugs. How can you help guide your child through the toughest years of their lives? Talk to your kids about drugs and alcohol BEFORE they enter middle school. Let them know you don’t want them using drugs and all the reasons why. Make clear rules and enforce them consistently. Know who your children are with and where they are at all times. NOTICE and praise them for good behavior. Make a family contract with your child, both agreeing on the content . Agree on drug testing them if you notice things like, a dramatic change in behavior, change of friends, skipping classes or school ect.(click here for sample contract) Having an At Home Drug Testing Kit should not be considered a violation of privacy but a good reason for your child to say “NO” to peer pressure. A parents love for their children should have no boundaries and protecting them from the effects of drug and alcohol addiction should be our top priority.
Check out our “Parents Corner” for more drug and alcohol information.
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