Peer Pressure and Drugs Teenagers

As soon as your kids leave the house in the morning you don't know what they will get into.

I wonder to myself, "Where did I go wrong?" I feel like I've given him every thing a mother could give...I feel as though I've failed.

This often can feel deeply personal, but has no bearing on you at all.
Kids embark on drugs from many reasons.

The number one reason they start drugs is because of  peer pressure,  kids don't want to be singled out.  

They're not thinking about you and how you feel, they're thinking about how they fit in.

The only one that shares your teenager's feelings and understands what they are going through is their friends.

You can say you understand, but they don't hear you or believe you.

Friends rule right now! 

 What can you do about this?

Don't react to the unbelievable.

Meaning if you've just found out your teenager or child has been using drugs or alcohol.

• Hold back and listen to how it happened.

Don't give out the consequences quite yet, because you really want to think about what to do.

• Hold back from punishments and think about what your child needs to learn.

Talk about fact that they may be curious about drugs and alcohol and you will not allow this kind of behavior.

• Hold back and just state, "You have abused your freedom, so you will have to make this up to me."  Write me note and explain what you should of done instead."
• Tell him that he has crossed the line on the limits set in this household.  Caution! Too much opposition is something you do not want, so both parties should turn away and cool down if things get heated.  
•  It's good to let him know what  the consequences are if this happens again. An example of a consequence: Take away two days of freedom with friends.

Toddlers run towards the road when they play.

They know there are rules not to go on the road, but they get so involved with playing and they forget.

• So...You set up boundaries, because the consequences could be deadly. 

You build a fence and keep on talking to your child about how dangerous the road is.

• They learn and the fence gate gets left open...Your toddler doesn't leave those boundaries, because you have educated him well.

Do the same for your teenager and educate.
Let him know the boundaries and what happens if he crosses them, so he won't be surprised.
Your teenager has no fence, but will remember what he has learned.