Go Hug Your Kid

The use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs is one of the biggest problems facing young people today. Studies have shown that a positive relationship between parents and children can offset the risk of alcohol, tobacco or other drug use.

These simple things can give your child the added support they may need to say "no" when under pressure to try alcohol, tobacco or other drugs. And show them that you love them.

1. Hug your children and let them know how much they mean to you. Express your love and affection often and clearly.
   
   
2. Praise your children for who they are, not just for their accomplishments. When parents are quicker to praise than to criticize, kids feel good about themselves and develop the self confidence to trust their own judgment.
   
   
3. Help them to build self-respect by mastering skills. Self-respect is earned, not given, and one of the best ways to earn it is by doing something well.
   
   
4. Talk early and often with kids about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use and model responsible, healthy behavior. Explain that drugs affect their brain and using drugs, at any age, impacts their ability to make good decisions.
   
   
5. Try to have dinner together every night. Recently, a parent at a Community of Concern school asked, "Son, what did you think, honestly, of our family's rules growing up?" The 19-year-old boy responded, "Dad, the best by far was dinner together every night. It was my favorite class, and it lasted 19 years."
   
   
6. Think about "No Overnights". Kids tell their parents they want to have friends overnight, sequester themselves in their room or the rec room, and the shenanigans begin- tobacco, alcohol, videos, magazines, whatever. The least that can happen at an overnight is that they will stay up too late and be exhausted the next day. Nothing good happens after midnight!
   
   
7. Spend time with your children. Find an activity that you both enjoy and pursue it. Put your chores aside, pay attention and listen to your children. Sharing both good and bad times build relationships with strong foundations.
   
   
8. Hug your kid. Our kids need our guidance and our love. Research shows that kids interpret limits as love.

Recent surveys by the Center On Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University show that for many kids, parents are the single biggest determinant in their decisions not to smoke, drink alcohol, or use other drugs. We, as parents, do more to shape our children's lives than any other single influence in their lives.