May is National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month and because your child is graduating from high school, now is the perfect time to talk to them about the temptations of college life. It is important for your teen to understand that abusing alcohol and other drugs clouds your judgment and greatly increases their probability of having unprotected sex. Simply telling your child not to have sex or not to participate in using drugs or alcohol does not work. Teens need to be provided with the skills and tools to make responsible decisions.
Use these tips when having “The Talk”:
- Utilize open communication and build trust for future conversations.
- Don’t lecture.
- Remember to listen.
- Remind them of the law: Let them know the importance of not drinking before age 21, using illegal drugs or taking medications that are not their own.
- Help them prepare: Explain how Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) works and the signs of alcohol poisoning.
- Stay involved.
For more tips on talking to your kids about this or substance abuse, please visit https://metrodrug.org//parents/talking-kids/