Wouldn’t it be nice if there was indeed a single, simple “tip” for raising kids? In some ways there is… the single most important thing a parent/adult can do is to be genuinely engaged in a child’s life. This doesn’t mean being attached to them at all times, or over protecting them, it means stay involved and let them know how interested you are in them.
SHOW THEM THAT YOU CARE... REALLY CARE
Acknowledge them
Tell them their feelings are okay
Be honest
Delight in their discoveries
Kneel, bend down, or sit so that you are at eye level
Show up at their events
Listen to their favorite music
Thank them
Catch them doing something right
Let them solve most of their own problems
Meet their friends' parents
Be consistent
Deal with problems and conflicts while they’re still small
Nurture them with good food, good words, and good fun
Enjoy their uniqueness
Respect them
Give them good choices
Inspire their creativity
Be available
Make decisions together
Help them learn from their mistakes
Tell them what you expect of them
Listen to them
Set boundaries that keep them safe
Present options when they seek your advice
Contribute to their collections
Use your ears more than your mouth
Keep the promises you make
Point out what you like about them
Give them your undivided attention
Meet their friends
Let them tell you how they feel
Tell them how proud you are of them
Believe in them
Be flexible
Let them make mistakes
Be understanding when they have a difficult day
Respect the choices them make
Tolerate their interruptions
Do what they do… what they suggest
Welcome their suggestions
Be sincere
Talk directly to them
Love them… no matter what!
Notice when they are absent, ask later about where they were
Answer their questions (do not make up answers… if you don’t know, say so)
Apologize if you have done something wrong… admit if you make a mistake
No… you can't do all of these every day. But you can select new ones to try to help build an open, honest relationship with your child/children.
Drugs of Abuse
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the most commonly abused drugs are listed below with their street names:
Club Drugs (special K, roofies, liquid ecstasy, jet, GHB)
Heroin (smack, H, ska, junk)
LSD (acid, blotter, dots)
MDMA (Ecstasy) (molly, XTC, X, love drug, bean)
Tobacco Addiction
Prescription Drugs (oxy, cotton, blue, 40, 80)
Emerging Drugs (K2/spice, bath salts, salvia)
For further information and to learn more about these drugs and their effects on the brain and body, statistics and trends, visit National Institute on Drug Abuse.
