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How To Teach Your Kids To Decline Offers Of Drugs And Alcohol

As a parent, it is very important for you to discuss the use of drugs and alcohol with your children from a very early age. By doing this, you are giving your children information that can help them make smart decisions in the event that they are offered drugs and alcohol by their friends.

Giving your kids the opportunity to trust you even when they are confronted with difficult subjects is a good start. Make sure that you present yourself as someone that your kids can confide in, and that you’re ready to offer advice when it’s needed. Allow your children to make choices for themselves, but always be there for guidance, and make sure to give positive feedback when your children make good choices.

Role playing can be an effective tool in helping your children learn how to respond if they are offered drugs and alcohol. When coaching them, suggest responses that are polite, but firm. Simplicity is the key for maximum effectiveness. A short answer such as “No thanks, I don’t drink alcohol” can be enough, but when it’s not, help your child come up with reasons why they are declining to drink. A good example such as “No thank you, I don’t drink. I want to make sure I’m in good condition for tomorrow’s track meet” is an answer that conveys polite rejection of the substance, while making it clear to the other party that your child is focused on taking care of their body and being aware of what goes into it.

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Using Your Income Tax Refund for Family Fun

Getting a refund from the IRS can feel great . You’ve taken advantage of the efile option, and got a huge refund, but what are you going to do with that money? There are so many choices, but you might want to consider something that the entire family can enjoy. For example, you could use it to take a vacation to a place that your family has always wanted to go but haven’t had a chance to visit. You don’t have to go somewhere exotic, either, if your refund isn’t a large one. There are plenty of fun things that are close to home and don’t cost a lot. A vacation doesn’t have to mean somewhere far away. It can be close to home and still feel like you’re worlds away from your normal life.

If you don’t like to travel or there isn’t anywhere you want to go, you have many other options. You could build a game room, or buy a boat. These are things that you can enjoy for years to come, after only an initial investment. Don’t get in over your head, but do take the time to look around and see what kinds of things there are to do and to buy. That way, you’ll be able to choose the kinds of things that you like and that your family will enjoy. It’s a good idea for all of you to sit down together and decide how you want to spend your tax refund, so that everyone gets a vote.

There are many family-friendly activities that don’t cost a great deal, so think about the types of things that your family would enjoy and come up with a list of activities or purchases that you can all talk over and do or buy with your income tax refund. You might not completely agree on everything, but there will be dialogue and you can work together to look at pros and cons and choose the best option for everyone.

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Avoiding Rebellion In Teenagers

Due to the fact that teenagers are experiencing a variety of emotions and coping with an intense urge to gain independence, it is common for them to display signs of rebellion at one or many stages of their teen years. Although this is a cause of dismay for many parents, there are a few things you can do to help yourself manage any signs of rebellion before they become more severe.

Make sure that you set boundaries for your teenagers, and continually adhere to them, but be open to compromises when things change. For example, insisting that your teenager have a certain curfew, particularly if they are struggling with a particular school subject and are unwilling to study is a very common sort of boundary. However, if your teen does adhere to the specified rules, you could make the decision to be a bit more lenient, as a reward. If you choose this option, make it clear that if any problems arise, you will restore the old curfew immediately.

Always love and support your teenager, even during times of failure. When you are parenting a teen, it is important to allow them to find their own voice by choosing their own friends, picking out a wardrobe and deciding how to spend their free time. However, this does not mean that you shouldn’t be a constant presence during their life decisions. Active parenting will make it easier for you to demonstrate your support and allow you to spot any potential problems as soon as they arise.

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