Parenting Tips #3: It's a Duck
Friday January 4, 2008
There was a woman on our forum who would say: ‘If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s a duck.’ She was in law enforcement and oft times needed to convince parents that when they see their child – who currently was picked up for drug use - with blood shot eyes and in a fit of uncontrollable laughter, he/she is probably high. I personally feel that we don’t try and purposefully ignore the warning signs of drug use or other problems that arrive. It is just hard to pull yourself out of the ‘doing-the-chores-making-the-dinner’ mode to see the signs. Then when you do recognize a sign or two, denial is the normal human reaction. A parent, being a normal human, will have that reaction, right? Of course, to help our kids, we need to get over the denial as quickly as possible.
So, today’s parenting tip: If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s a duck. When we see a sign or two – of anything that could be amiss – let’s work on getting past the normal reaction of denial to get to a place where we can help our kids.
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments area.
Related Resources:
- How to Raise a Drug-Free Teen
- Book: How to Say It to Teens (Compare Prices)
- 5 Steps to Good Decision-Making Skills for Teens
Comments
Dearest Denise Witmer
Must say you gotta great smile.
You look pretty.
I like what your write.
My son is in the 6th. standard (INDIA)
He says I do not like to study
He says I do not like to go to school
My wife shouts at him and goes mad if he does not study as per her equirement.
I want peace in the house.
I want him to study.
He goes to school without a problem
He does less studies because of T.V.
How can I seduce him to study for more time and stay away from the T.V. which he loves to see.
He knows I love him too much
I am a soft father who will never hit him
Warm Regards
HORMAZ
How about not letting the television go on until he is done his work?