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Parents = Prevention! There aren't enough hours in the day. Sometimes it's frustrating how few chances there are to have conversations about drugs, alcohol, violence, and sexual activity with our children. In our busy culture, with families juggling the multiple demands of work, school, after-school activities, and religious and social commitments, it can be a challenge for parents and children to be in the same place at the same time. Yet the better you communicate, the more at ease your teen will feel about discussing risky behaviors with you.
Tips on Preventing Risky Behaviors in Your Child 1. Learn about Risk Behaviors • Learn as much as possible about youth violence, sex, and alcohol and drug use. • Know what's happening in your community 2. Communicate Openly and Honestly • Listen more than you talk. Ask about their day. Respond as if they are the most important person in the world. • Be curious. Ask them about risk behaviors. • Share your values, expectations, feelings and fears. Let them know where you stand and why. • Encourage them to share their feelings and attitudes. 3. Help Develop Skills • Help them develop self-esteem and self-control: affirm good choices, show respect even when you disagree, spend time together, take care not to shame them, be a role model, share your own feelings, encourage them to volunteer. • Help them develop good problem solving and peer pressure refusal skills: role play different scenarios, give them the chance to make choices, ask their opinions. 4. Set Limits and Monitor your Child • Establish limits. Set known rules and be consistent, firm/fair when using punishment • Monitor their time. Find out where, who, what, when, why– watch for negative influences or issues. • Limit access. Keep alcohol, cigarettes and prescription drugs locked and other drugs out of your home. 5. Take Care of Yourself • Develop and improve your own self-esteem, self-control and problem solving skills. You are your child's most important role model.• Set a good example. Words work best when your actions back them up. • Keep your stress in check: attend to your personal needs • Get involved. Volunteer & urge others to get involved. Taken from http://alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/court_services/info/RiskyBrochureEng.pdf Parents Who Host Lose the Most Campaign to kick off in April Click here for information |
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