Create an environment that encourages communication
Using marijuana is harmful to a child's overall development. As an influence in a child's life the conversation starts with you.
- Avoid lecturing. Use a two-way dialogue to fuel conversation.
- Ask questions, and avoid making judgments.
- Make it an ongoing conversation, not just something you talk about once.
- Be an active listener by making time for the conversation and making sure you are not distracted.
- Do not approach this topic with anger or demonize marijuana, because that increases the chances that kids will shut down.
- Focus on the good. Ask about their goals and share how marijuana use can affect those goals in a negative way.
- Set clear expectations. Establish consequences for use.
- Teach them the difference between facts and opinions.
- Empower them. Help them feel confident in a variety of situations they may experience (such as peer pressure).
- Talk to your child often. Keep the conversation going to create a safe environment for conversation.
- Not all kids choose to use. Remind them that the majority of their peers don't smoke.
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Let them know they can call you
Tweens and Teens need to know they have somebody to turn to for help. Let them know that if they find themselves in a situation where they feel unsafe, "you can call me and I will help you." Keep the lines of communication open by talking about the situation and how it progressed. Be aware of the child's friends and peers and get to know their parents.
Common Questions & Answers
From: www.drugfree.org
Question: "I know, I know! You've already talked to me about this!"
Answer: “I want us to be able to discuss topics because I love you and I want to help during these years when you’re faced with a lot of difficult choices.”
Question: "Have you ever been offered marijuana?" “Do you know anyone at school who smokes pot? What did they say about it?”
Answer: Acknowledge why some people use marijuana: for a new experience, to fit in, to cope. Brainstorm healthy ways to cope.
Question: "Would you rather I drink alcohol? Weed is so much safer!"
Answer: “Honestly, I don’t want you to be doing anything that can harm you — whether that’s smoking pot, cigarettes, drinking or behaving recklessly. I’m interested in knowing why you think weed is safer than alcohol.”
Question: “Marijuana is a plant. It’s natural. How harmful could it be?”
Answer: “I would much rather you find healthy ways to cope with difficult feelings than turn to drugs. Can we brainstorm activities?”
Question: “But it’s legal in some states; why would they make something legal that could hurt me?”
Answer: “It’s legal at a certain age, like alcohol. I think that people in these states hope that by 21, they’ve given you enough time to make your own decision around it. But, let’s explore your question in more detail, because it’s a good one. Why would states make something legal that could be harmful?”
Question: Child to adult, "Have you ever used marijuana?"
Answer: As an adult, children look up to you for help and guidance in working out problems and in making decisions, including the decision to use drugs. Even if you have used drugs in the past, you can have an open conversation about the dangers. Whether or not to tell the child about your past drug us is a personal decision. Be experience can better equip us to teach others by drawing on the value of past mistakes. You can explain that marijuana is significantly more potent now and that we now know a lot more about the potential harmful effects of marijuana on the developing brain. Be certain the discussion focuses on how much you care about your child's health and achievement of their life goals.
Question: "I know, I know! You've already talked to me about this!"
Answer: “I want us to be able to discuss topics because I love you and I want to help during these years when you’re faced with a lot of difficult choices.”
Question: "Have you ever been offered marijuana?" “Do you know anyone at school who smokes pot? What did they say about it?”
Answer: Acknowledge why some people use marijuana: for a new experience, to fit in, to cope. Brainstorm healthy ways to cope.
Question: "Would you rather I drink alcohol? Weed is so much safer!"
Answer: “Honestly, I don’t want you to be doing anything that can harm you — whether that’s smoking pot, cigarettes, drinking or behaving recklessly. I’m interested in knowing why you think weed is safer than alcohol.”
Question: “Marijuana is a plant. It’s natural. How harmful could it be?”
Answer: “I would much rather you find healthy ways to cope with difficult feelings than turn to drugs. Can we brainstorm activities?”
Question: “But it’s legal in some states; why would they make something legal that could hurt me?”
Answer: “It’s legal at a certain age, like alcohol. I think that people in these states hope that by 21, they’ve given you enough time to make your own decision around it. But, let’s explore your question in more detail, because it’s a good one. Why would states make something legal that could be harmful?”
Question: Child to adult, "Have you ever used marijuana?"
Answer: As an adult, children look up to you for help and guidance in working out problems and in making decisions, including the decision to use drugs. Even if you have used drugs in the past, you can have an open conversation about the dangers. Whether or not to tell the child about your past drug us is a personal decision. Be experience can better equip us to teach others by drawing on the value of past mistakes. You can explain that marijuana is significantly more potent now and that we now know a lot more about the potential harmful effects of marijuana on the developing brain. Be certain the discussion focuses on how much you care about your child's health and achievement of their life goals.
