TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Tips and ideas to help you succeed

THE TRUTH anti-drug campaign.
What is the most important way to prevent your children from using drugs and alc
ohol?
It's you.
Children who learn by their parents or caregivers about the risks of drugs are a
t: • 36% less likely to use marijuana; • 50% less likely to use inhalants; • 56%
less likely to use cocaine, and • 65 % less likely to use LSD .** You are the m
ost powerful influence in your child's daily life. Being a parent is challenging
and you should learn and work hard, even for the best parents. The following ti
ps give you ideas to do something positive for you and your child.
** Source: Keeping Your Kids Drug-Free: A How-To Guide for Parents and Caregiver
s, National Youth Media Campaign Antidrug Of National Drug Control Policy, page
6. 2001.
GET INVOLVED
Children who have a relationship together with their parents and caregivers are
a lower risk of engaging in risky behaviors. If more involved in their children'
s lives, they will feel more valued and will respond to you. 1. Establish "toget
her time." Establish a regular routine every week to do something special with y
our child - even something as simple as going out to eat ice cream, play with yo
ur baby or child, or reading a book. 2. Eat together as much as possible. Meals
are a great opportunity to talk about the events of the day - to relax, strength
en and connect. Studies show that children from families who eat together at lea
st five times a week are at lower risk of getting involved in drugs or alcohol.
Turn off the TV when eating increases the effectiveness. 3. Set clear rules and
enforce them fairly. Children should know what the rules at home and what are th
e consequences to breaking the rules. Although the types of rules and consequenc
es in a young child are different from those of a child of 10 years, they must b
e enforced fairly.
Lonely
Confused
Happy
Pressed
Angry
Scared
LEARN TO COMMUNICATE
The more you talk to a child, the easier the child talk about difficult issues w
ith you.
1. Listen. Ask questions and encourage them to do the same. In its
own words, repeat the child what he or she is saying. Ask what you think about t
he decisions of the family. By showing your interest in hearing makes the child
feel more comfortable talking with you.
2. Give honest answers. Do not make up what you do not know, tell
you will find out. If asked whether you have used drugs, let them know what is i
mportant: you do not want them using drugs.
3. Name and identify feelings. Show ways
appropriate to express feelings and talk about how to recognize the emotions tha
t others express. Include appropriate ways and times to say "no", judging the sa
fety of situations.
WADE
EL
ROAD
Be an example - the person you want your child to be.
1. Be a living example daily and important values.
Show the compassion, honesty, generosity and openness you want your child to hav
e.
2. Know that there is no "do as I say not as I do." If you use drugs, you can no
t expect your child to take his
advice. Seek professional help if needed. If you smoke, stop. I always go out to
smoke, until it stops. Keep the air your child breathes, clean.
3. Establish rules for taking medicines safely. Use labels on medicines. Discuss
medicines / common substances and their uses, and the options available when not
feeling well.
PRAISE
Y
PREMIE
What motivates a child to the approval of their parents? The right word at the r
ight time can strengthen the connection that helps keep your child away from dru
gs. The expressions of love, appreciation and gratitude are worth much.
1. Reward good behavior consistently and immediately. Provide a guide to love, s
et limits and be supportive. Place
reasonable consequences when they misbehave. Help them make healthy and safe dec
isions.
2. Accentuate the positive. Emphasize the things your children do well. Try
not be as critical. Affection and respect - helping a child feel good about hims
elf - strengthen the good (and change bad) behavior more successfully than embar
rassment or discomfort.
A Word to the Wise
When talking with children about alcohol and other drugs, including talks on hea
lthy options and alternatives, answer questions simply and directly, and get inf
ormation if you do not know the answer. Avoid stories and images of fear, does n
ot explain how to use drugs or the effects they have.
IDAHO RESOURCES
Parenting is a process of continuous learning. For more information on becoming
a better parent, or need assistance leaving the alcohol, snuff or other drugs, c
all:
WEB SITES IN IDAHO WITH INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
• Information Center Early Childhood http://www.idahochild.org (click on the sun
logo) Idaho Child
•
www.idahochild.org
• Center for Regional Resources Network for the Recognition of Idaho Drug and Al
cohol
hs.boisestate.edu / RADAR
IDEAS FOR ACTION
Each new stage in the development of a child provides a learning opportunity for
you and the child care.
What do you want to change about how you treat your son? What will be your desir
e or goal?
Examples: • • • • Read a book with my son before bedtime. Set a time to play wit
h my son. Eat meals on the table. Recognize positive behaviors. My desire and go
al is:
What is one thing you can do this week to get closer to your desire or goal?
Example: • • • • Read a book with my son before bedtime. Do this five days of Ju
ly. Set 20 minutes each day to play with my son. Dining at the table without TV,
5 times this week. Recognize at least 10 positive behaviors in my son.
I plan to take the following action this week to help me achieve my desire or go
al:
Record your progress on the next page.
Examples:
LIST
GOAL:
SU
PROGRESS
Playing with the child 20 minutes every day.
Get support from family and friends. Reward yourself when you make changes that
impact positively on the lives of children - and theirs.
LIST
Day
SU
PROGRESS
How long? How Often? Mark "X" if it has
Describe the activity
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7
How did you do to try to achieve your desire or goal this week? (Circle one) I g
ot the desire or goal to achieve cost me a desire or goal if he achieves his des
ire or goal, scoring his progress continues for 2 weeks. It takes about three we
eks for a new behavior
becomes a habit.
If cost him his desire or goal to achieve: 1. Continue working on the same
desire or goal O 2. Change your desire or goal to do so successfully.
This publication was made possible by the following partners:
• • • • • • • Idaho Regional Alcohol Drug Awareness Resource (RADAR) Network Cen
ter Idaho Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) I
daho Idaho Substance Abuse Program Infant / Toddler Program Idaho Tobacco Preven
tion and Control Program CareLine Idaho Idaho Nurses Association
We thank all organizations, programs and people gave us their time and skills to
this project. The reviewers and writers include the coordinators of local WIC a
gencies; Georgia Girvan, MHE, Emily Bush, MS, RD, LD, Linda Morton, MPH, RD, LD,
Mary Jones, BUS, Galen Louis, Ph.D . and Judith Murray, RN, Ph.D., Terry Pappin
, M.Ed.; Selina Carver, MS and Patricia Williams. Adapted with permission from:
Office of National Drug Control Policy. January 2002.
IDHW-170 cost per unit