Managing those teenage years is a challenge for every parent.
There is a lot of temptation and choices out there with drugs, sex, alcohol and crime.
So the question is; how can you manage your teenagers with confidence so that they do not get led astray and tempted to try things that are bad for them.
Here are some tips: SEX From an early age try to make talking about sex a natural subject so they don't get hang-ups about it As with the bullet point above try to create an atmosphere where your children feel free to discuss sex with you.
It is important from an early age that you explain that sex is a way of expressing love between two people.
When do you start to talk about sex with your kids? Don't pre-determine a set age, you will know when the time is right with the vibes and lifestyle that your children are living.
Put yourself in their position.
You have been there too and will know how uncomfortable you felt when discussing the subject with your parents.
Be as factual as possible.
Give them literature to read about diseases and health risks, where they can get contraception from.
DRUGS There are a whole host of drugs out there from headache pills to the hard stuff like cocaine.
Start talking about these from an early age to build awareness, start with paracetamol and glue sniffing and then move on to the others later.
Always be specific when talking about drugs.
Don't just say that "They are harmful to you".
Get the facts and then communicate these with your children.
Talk about the side effects of taking drugs - the memory loss, the addiction, even death! Be open and honest with your children.
Just because they might have brought up the subject doesn't mean that they are taking any.
They might have heard some kids at school talking about or on a TV programme.
Use this opportunity to talk to your child in a mature way about the harmful effects of drugs.
Remember to say to your children that there is no such thing as a non harmful drug.
Talk about the consequences of taking drugs - criminal record, expulsion from school, debt, health problems, addiction.
Teach your children what to say to people who offer them drugs.
After all, the people who are egging your children on to take them can be persuasive especially if there is peer pressure, bullying or money to be made.
ALCOHOL Tell your children how drinking can be harmful to them.
Tell them about the side effects that drinking has and what it feels like the morning after the night before.
Tell your children that sometimes you do not know what you are doing and that you lose your awareness - you can be made to look very silly.
Don't make drinking into a bad thing.
Teach your children to respect drink- however.
Tell them what quantities are OK to drink and what drinks are best.
For example drinking a beer will last longer than if they are having shot after shot of a spirit.
Teach them some of the tricks of the trade: - Line their stomach before they go out - eat something so that it absorbs the alcohol! - Don't mix your drinks! - Don't drink and drive! - Don't let your drink go out of your sight to make sure it doesn't get spiked! - Drink water in between "hard drinks" to slow down absorption CRIME Although you may be teaching your children the rights and the wrongs about crime be careful with the company that they keep when you are not around.
Look for changes in attitudes, behaviour and moods.
Find out who your children mix with in and out of school.
Children can get caught up in peer pressure and bullying to be in the "in" crowd through no fault of their own apart from the need to belong Make sure that your children have activities to do rather than just causing mischief on the streets at night.
Keep an open dialogue about the consequences of having a criminal record and what it means for the future i.
e Job prospects, prison etc .
A parent, often unwittingly, acts as a 'moral compass' to their children.
I have presented here just a few guidelines covering some of the more common issues facing parents today.
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