It’s funny, I am a little older now but I find myself looking back at my teenage years through rose coloured glasses more often than not. I seem to be remembering life easier than it actually was. Remembering that I was spontaneous and carefree even thought it wasn’t. Truthfully I had no clear sense of direction and really no idea who I was or who I wanted to be.
I like dabbled with drugs & alcohol as a teen and hung out with a group of kids that did the same. (sorry mom if your just learning about this now) I smoke cigarettes and thought I was “cool” but I wasn’t. There really isn’t a bumper sticker reason “why” I journey down this path in the first place. Maybe I settled for the first group of kids that paid attention to me when I moved to a new town and was trying to impress these kids. They really weren’t the kinds of “friends” that you want to have for a life time and I wish I had of been directed the other way. Maybe we lacked imagination and couldn’t find something to do on a weeknight to keep us out of trouble? Maybe I was just lazy? Arcades were big when I was growing up and I spent more quarters on Tetris or Bubble bobble than I could afford but, that’s also where I was introduced to drugs.
As a parent of a teenage and a pre-teen it’s become even more important that my children learn from my mistakes and not look back on their teenage years with regrets.
Today’s guest post looks at some wholesome ways to help your teen avoid drugs.
When a teenager turns to drugs, it can, sometimes, happen due to a lacking sense of purpose and having no direction. Below, you will find four wholesome activities that can provide a sense of purpose and direction to your teenager to help them avoid turning to drugs.
Sports
Having your teenage child join a local sport or athletic team is a great way to get them involved in a wholesome activity. Joining a sport or athletic team can provide your child with many benefits including fitness, mentorship, the building of social relationships, and a healthy outlet for their confusing teenage emotions.
Religious Fellowship
If you and your child are involved in your local religious community, it could be greatly beneficial to see if there’s a youth group being organized in your local church or place of worship. Having your teenage child interact with peers in a wholesome, positive setting will provide untold amounts of fellowship and spiritual healing. This is a great alternative to having to attend a rehab clinic. The Catholic Church, for example, offers drug rehabilitation counseling and services for those suffering from heroin addiction as well as other drugs.
Interactive Hobbies
Introducing your teenage child to some popular interactive hobbies is a great way for them to spend their extra time. Depending on your child’s interests, these interactive hobbies could include fishing, model building, painting/drawing, dancing, and gaming. If your child has shown a deep love for a specific hobby, allow them to fully embrace the hobby as a creative outlet. This will not only give them a sense of purpose but will also keep them from getting bored.
Volunteering
Encouraging your teenage child to enter into a volunteer position can drastically improve their mental state as it keeps them grounded during their difficult transitional years. Some popular volunteer positions are senior centers, animal shelters, homeless shelters, religious organizations, charity organizations, or athletic teams. Collect information on different volunteer positions in your community and present them to your teen to see which one draws interest.
One last thing that can help your teenage child to avoid using drugs is parental involvement. It’s not enough for you, as a parent, to keep food in the house, a roof over their head, and clothes on their back. Your child also needs attention and guidance. They need companionship and discipline. You must become more involved in your teenager’s life as a role model while they transition into adulthood.
Rachelle Wilber
Bio: Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn’t on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach, or at the gym. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook: @RachelleWilber; https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009221637700
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