Children Learn From Their Parents

You may have hear the idea that children learn from their parents. Well, it's true. Children are like little sponges. They absorb everything we tell them. For example, if a parent curses around their child, they shouldn't be surprised to hear their child repeat the foul word a few days later. The same thinking applies when it comes to drug and alcohol use and abuse.

It is almost a sure fact that a child who grows up in a household where drugs and alcohol are abused will then grow up and become a drug or alcohol addict OR they will turn into physical abusers. This is why it is so important to start now to teach our children the difference between right and wrong. Doing drugs is always a bad thing no matter which way you slice it. Alcohol, on the other hand, is a different story. It is one thing to have the occasional glass of wine with dinner; but when that glass of wine turns into a couple of bottles of wine- or that mixed drink turns into a night of drinking....well, you get the idea.

As our children develop and mature, a child who has grown up in an environment where drinking and drugs are used freely will most likely see no big deal in using drugs or alcohol. However, the child who grows up in a household where his/her parents has sat them down and explained how drugs and alcohol may negatively impact their lives is a lot less likely to get into trouble. It doesn't always work out this way though. On occasion, you will get a child who has grown up in a household that has abused both drugs and alcohol, and as a result, they swear that they will do everything that they can not to end up like their parents or in a similar situation. Similarly, you occasionally get children who have grown up in nurturing homes free of drugs and alcohol, who will wind up being abusers.

Some would argue that the issue lies in the relationship that parents have with their children. Would a child who trusts their parents and would never want to do anything to disgrace them get involved in drug and/or alcohol abuse? Where do you draw the line? Parents also need to pull double duty by making sure they are aware of who their child is hanging out with at school. I can still remember when I was growing up, how my mother made an effort to get to know every one of my friends and their parents. When I was invited over to sleepovers, I wasn't allowed to go unless my mother had first met the child's parents and approved. Perhaps this was just a parent being over protective; but most would simply view it as them being responsible.

As parents, it is your responsibility to encourage your own children to be responsible. And contrary to popular belief, it is never too early to start teaching your child the difference between right and wrong. The sooner we teach our children to be responsible young adults, the sooner we will have a world that is filled with responsible “adults”.