Sharing Your Own Drug History With Your Young Adult Children: Good Idea or Bad?
Written by Debra Celani, Posted on , in Section Turn For The Better
Parenting doesn't come with an instructional manual and if it did, it would not be tailored to each unique parenting situation. So many variables come into play including the parent, their history, the personality of the children, and the relationship between the parent and child. Drugs are such a prevalent part of life now, it's hard to protect your children from hearing about drugs. Most people also have either personal experience or experience with a close friend or familiar member whose life has been touched by drug use.
A Common Dilemma for Parents Today: Deciding Whether or Not To Discuss Their Own Drug History
Talking to your children about drugs can be a tough situation. When do you bring it up? How do you bring it up? How much should a child know? These questions become even harder when you have a personal history of drug use yourself. It's a fine line between saying enough and saying too much. Regardless of what you choose to you reveal to your child, it's important to tell the truth.
The decision you make may not be right or wrong, but it may impact your child's views on drug so carefully determine your chose before engaging in a discussion with your child. Several studies indicate that children who learn of their parent's past drug use may think they are harmless as they see their parents are fine. They may also believe that their parents won't be too harsh on them since they made the same choice. Remember to re-enforce your belief and value system you hold now. What you did as a teen or young adult are not the same decisions you would make today. Your past behavior gives you insight into understanding the allure of drugs, but also a solid understanding of the consequences.
