Soooo...what's a good age to talk to kids about drugs? I'm pretty sure my first introduction came to it right after Len Bias died. I assume 6 or 7 is good.
Well, it's not really a one-time sit-down thing (like "The Talk" about sex that our parents give as at some time), but more of an ongoing thing that needs regular visiting to keep reinforcing the lesson as things/situations/problems arise.
I think children are much mopre sophisticated these days and exposed to things things much earlier that I was, especially via a much more liberal/relaxed media standard and mature video games that an older brother or sister might be playing while they watch, (or even participating in).
I'd say it clearly depends on the child and situation, and staying in tune with what they're being exposed to, and what kinds of things they're interested in or asking questions about.
Kids are much smarter and more sensitive to their environment than what we give them credit for at times, and IMHO, if they're old enough to understand the meaning of the words, then it's really never too early to start trying impress upon them the dangers of drugs and the people that try to influence them to try them.
I'd say wing it, and when you notice them acknowledging the subject in any way, then respond with the appropriate level of discussion. Always talk
across to them, and not in an admonishing tone of voice, and not in a way that makes the subject seem like something they should not be thinking about or talking about, but with keen interest and understanding, and the seriousness it's afforded.
Just my view, of course, but as a dad with three grown kids, it seemed to work pretty well in my case, and I'm proud to say that all of them have (luckily) avoided many of the mistakes that their dad did not, and I'd like to think that it was at least in part to the things mentioned above.
Topic: Parenting philosophy (Read 3321 times)