5 Tips for Helping Your Kids to Say No to Drugs

“Just say no to drugs.” This message has been used so often that many kids simply tune out whenever they hear a conversation beginning this way. Parents must be more creative these days in teaching their kids to say no. So, how do you get your kids to listen to you about important things like drugs when they barely listen to you about small things like cleaning their room?  It might take a little ingenuity, patience, and hard work, but it can be done. Here are five tips to help your kids say no to drugs.

1. Know what they do. Be involved in your child’s life. Make sure they are supervised by you or another responsible adult. Even if they are old enough to be left home alone, don’t leave them alone for hours at a time, especially after school. Kids who come home to an empty house after school find ways to keep themselves busy, including experimenting with drugs or alcohol.
2. Know their interests. This will help you build a healthy relationship with your child. Get to know what music they like, what their favorite TV show is about, how they feel about current events, etc. Sharing moments with them and taking the time to listen to your child will teach you a lot about who they are, and they will feel more comfortable coming to you. A solid bond between parent and child leads to an easier talk about saying no to drugs.
3. Build their self-esteem. Help your child find something that they’re good at. Encourage them, praise them, and let them know that you are proud of them no matter what. This confidence will help your child stay away from drugs, which they know can mess up the good things in their life.
4. Teach them how to say no. It’s not enough to just tell your child to say no. Put yourself in their shoes – surrounded by a group of friends all smoking pot, feeling pressure to try pot too to fit in. It is very difficult to say no. Equip your child with things they can say or do to get out of this type of situation such as “I’m not into that” or suggest an alternative activity like going to the movies or playing a video game. Empower your child to have the courage to leave that situation and hang out with other friends.
5. Be a good role model. Keep yourself away from drugs and alcohol. Your child does look up to you and will follow your actions more than your words. Let them see you taking care of yourself and making healthy decisions.

It’s not enough these days to teach your child to just say no. Find ways to get to know your child and gain their respect, and then have talks with them that equip them with the tools and courage to stay away from drugs. Click here for more information and resources for talking to your child about drugs.