ok, i'm NOT totally against it here, so lets get that outta the way... I have smoked it a couple times in the past....didn't really do too much for me except give me a soar throat and make me tired.....but overall, i dont really mind it. But, basically all the old friends that I had, including my old best friend, got bored of it and now can't stop doing harsher things.....I dont' think that I've talked to him once in the last 2-3 years where he hasn't been stoned or something...... I'm really conflicted here.......one, just becuase I'm curious about what other people have to say....two, becuase I'm pregnant, and I really don't know what I should say to my kid when the time comes.....I do not AT ALL want my bebe to become a drug-head. No offence to those who are. I just can't stand to see what's happened to my old friends. But I don't want to sit there and say, "don't do drugs, they're wrong." That'll just make (s)he want to go out and do them more. My mom always said to me that it's normal to want to try it, just don't get stupid, and that's exactily what i did. But my little sister on the other hand, just started smoking pot less than a year ago and has already moved onto other things. I really don't know what I should say. What are some of your opinions?
Well telling your kids not to do drugs won't stop anything, as you and everyone knows. I guess just try to have a really open relationship with your child and allow them to ask you questions, tell them how drugs have affected your old friends...
Open up, tell them the truth about drugs. Tell them everything. Tell your child how you feel about yourself, and what you fear. Just be totally honest and open.
That would be crossing a few boundaries.. i understand what your saying and if your parents did that with you great. If my mum or dad came in all spliffed up and told me these things i would be completly embarrased.. i don't need that much info thanks , and i am sure the feeling is mutual.
I don't think you can predict how any person is going to react and i think as your child grows, you may work if it is a good thing to go down the road of the 'drug talk' . I don't think it is a must and i don't think you should panic about it just yet. My mum and dad did not give me any sort of chat and i did/do some soft drugs nothing stronger than weed these days erm well alcohol as well. I am no drug feind and i have not real hang ups or have i ever been confused or wished to try harder drugs.. My brother did harder drugs Es and god knows what else..all on the same parenting..
My parents didn't tell me what drugs were until I myself admitted to it in 9th grade. And it goes way back into 7th grade that I first started doing stuff. But my dad opened up to me this last year on his acid trips, he told me everything. And it makes me feel like I can relate to my dad alot more because he knows what I'm experiencing and I'm curious as to what other drugs do. It makes my judgement clearer. Plus how he was honest and upfront with me on the acid, he told me it would hurt him greatly to see me do it. So I won't because I do care.
Thats good... My mum and dad did not sit me down or shy away from anything (apart from giving me there own personal experiances) from me personaly.. i realy have no idea what they did or said to my brother actualy (thinking about it) . They could have taken him to some drug awareness class for all i know .. blissfuly unaware i suppose . Personaly i hope my parents knew that i did not actualy need a chat and i fundementaly had my head screwed on... I have fond memories of seeing mum and dad staggeing around at partys leggless dancing badly.. thats enough for me.
If you choose to be open with your kid(s), Theres a great book out called It's Just a Plant by Ricardo Cortes. A children's book about an adult subject: little Jackie wakes up past her bed time one night to find her mom and dad blazing up some weed. What follows is an educational and informative visit to a marijuana farmer, a brief history lesson about reefer, and a little while later Jackie even gets to witness her first drug bust. That's some responsible parenting. "For all concerned parents who want to be involved in honestly educating their children about the effects, the dangers and the benefits of marijuana." http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0509,pietras,61592,6.html
You're not going to know how to talk to your child about such things until he/she actually gets here. You will grow together each day, and when the time is right..you'll know. You can tell that child not to do drugs from the time it's born, and they will still ultimately make the decision as to whether or not they do it. All you can do is hope they make the right decisions in the end, and hope they carry at least some of the good that you've taught them along the way. My mom always told me that children step on your toes when they're little, and they step on your heart as they get older. The D.A.R.E. program starts in 1st grade here, so my daughter was informed about drugs before I felt she was ready to know. I mean I guess that would be ok in some cities, but where I live it's just not necessary. She thinks that smoking pot is equivalent to smoking crack. I smoke pot, and I'm all for the legalization of marijuana..so what the hell do I tell her. I feel like such a hippocrite sometimes, but I just don't think she's ready to know I smoke just yet, she's only 9. I just hate that they have portrayed weed to be this evil drug that ruins your whole life, because I'm sorry but that just isn't the case. Has anyone else had any experiences with this, and if so..what did you do??
I would say have a frank discussion with them on what it can do to you. Don't say it will happen, 'cause that'll invalidate anything you might say, but they just have to realize that there is a chance that they will mess up their life on these drugs. Have a deep philosophical discussion about the nature of their life and the experiences that they can have without drugs. Or better yet, sit down with them and watch "Requiem for a Dream." I'd say about ten is a decent age for that. I was in 6th grade when I was offered my first joint. By another 6th grader. So maybe even earlier.
Heh, beyond weed life looks like a bitch. I just got called up by an ex boyfriend who turned his life into a nightmare. He dropped out of school, isn't accepted to any other schools and he smokes crystal all day. Total druggie/hippie. He got caught stealing a car and is going to court today. The poor guy just ruined his life. I don't know what do for him except support. It's crazy. Herbal is as far as I'll go.
Communication is key to any relationship, especially a parent child relationship. When your child is old enough, you need to tell your child the facts. If one grows up with lies about drugs there is a greater chance one might experiment with the dangerous drugs. Be sure to be clear to your child, allow your child to ask you questions, and then answer them.
