Central Virginia Addiction & Recovery Resources Coalition

As parents, we love our children like no one else can. Our children will have many friendships throughout their lives. It is our role to be a parent, not a friend.   We have the RESPONSIBILITY of showing our children we care by guiding them, setting expectations, and enforcing consequences to help protect them from danger. As parents, we also have the RIGHT to ensure safety by limiting freedoms, restricting privileges, and searching their belongings (such as cell phones, cars, and bedrooms) when necessary. 

 

Setting EXPECTATIONS and enforcing CONSEQUENCES as parents includes praising positive behaviors, encouraging our children in their pursuits, acknowledging their achievements, and ensuring that discipline is structured, consistent, predictable, and fair. Our children may not thank us now, but they will in the future.   These things are paramount as our children realize that we were there to provide safety and security, equipping them to handle challenges, all while patiently loving them. 

 

For additional tips on raising tobacco, alcohol, and drug-free children, visit: 

 

https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/parents-educators @