July 19th, 2017
Parent Talk
**formerly known as the Weekly Chatter
Youth prescription drug abuse on the rise
Every day 2,500 kids ages 12 to 17 abuse a pain reliever for the first time, reports show; and a recent study revealed that opioid abuse jumped six fold from 2001 to 2014 among Americans age 25 and younger.

The most commonly abused drugs by adolescents are stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall, opioids such as OxyContin and Vicodin, and depressants such as Xanax and Valium.

How can parents prevent prescription drug abuse in their homes?
  • Stay involved in your child's life, especially as they go through middle school and high school. Research shows that strong feelings of family connectedness can prevent teens from engaging in risky behaviors like abusing drugs.
  • Talk to your kids about drugs.  While only 31% of teens say they learned a lot about the risk of drugs from their parents according to some reports, studies show that not wanting to disappoint parents is the #1 reason kids give for not drinking or using drugs.
  • Help your child make good decisions. Research shows that 68% of people 12 and older who have abused prescription pain relievers within the past year say they got them from a friend or relative. Let your child know that taking drugs that were not prescribed by a doctor specifically for them is illegal.

  • Dispel the myths. Many teens think  it's safer to abuse prescription drugs than it is to abuse illegal drugs. Teach them that all drugs are potentially harmful as even pain relievers such as ibuprofen can have side effects.
  • Take action. Put drugs away and out of sight and monitor your child's usage. If drugs in your house are left over from a previous condition,  dispose of them as soon as possible in a safe and effective way.
For more information
Tips for family bonding this summer
On average, kids ages 8-18 spend 7.5 hours in front of a screen for entertainment each day, 4.5 of which are spent watching TV, reports the CDC.

For many kids, especially those who are too young or too old for summer camps, these figures dramatically increase during the summer when school is out. This summer, parents can follow the following suggestions to keep kids active (mentally and physically) and create opportunities for quality family bonding time.

  • Develop a weekly routine that involves going outside as a family. Take a walk in the morning, ride bikes in the afternoon, or spend 30 minutes bird watching or observing nature.
  • Tell stories. Tell your kids about how you and your spouse met, a story about a favorite childhood memory or reminisce about grandparents or other family members that are especially important to you. Research shows that kids who know their family stories are more resilient when difficulties come along.
  • Have a family game night. Board and card games are a great way to get your family interacting without digital distractions and increase feelings of family connectedness.

  • Clean out the house together. See what toys, tools, trinkets and clothes your family no longer needs or uses. Try to come up with ways these items can be repurposed, have a garage sale or donate them to a charity. Whatever you decide, make sure to do so as a family.
  • Go on a "Digital Detox" by taking a break from technology. Click here for 7 days tech-free family activities and conversation starters delivered to your inbox!
For more information
Improving Aggressive Behavior in Toddlers                        
#WeeklyBlogPost
 
Agression sometimes results because toddlers are unable to communicate their wants and needs verbally.

At this age, emotions still trump thinking skills almost every time, so parents often struggle to understand how to stop their toddler from biting, hitting, kicking, scratching and other aggressive behaviors.

For practical tips on managing a young child's aggression,

and  please, leave a comment! 

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