Drugs. We are all afraid that our children are going to try them. We do everything that we can to keep them protected, but sometimes we can't control everything. What some kids see as just some harmless fun can lead to some very awful things.

So, have you talked to your kids about them? How do you try to teach them that drugs are bad? Have you ever caught your kids with drugs?

This is an extremely important issue. We aren't here to judge, we are here to help. Let's talk about this extremely crucial topic and see how we can help each other teach our kids that drugs are very dangerous.

I have talked to my daughter about drugs many times.  She always tells me that we have had the discussion, but I remind her I just want to make sure she knows the dangers.  She tells me she is not ready to destroy her dreams, and she has witnessed people at school who have been on drugs and suspended.  Same group of kids, same bad behavior.  I am thankful that she is not friends with any of them. Doesn't seem to matter where you live, drugs are everywhere.  She came home from school a couple months ago and told me a girl in one of her classes was bragging on how she was high on smoking pot.  I asked my daughter what she said, and she told me that she told her it kills brain cells. (YEAH, she listens!).  Then my daughter proceeded to tell me that this particular girl should probably stop smoking pot, because she can't afford to lose any more brain cells.  As scared as I am for my daughter to know about the drugs that are out there, I am also relieved that she has seen how people behave and what it does to their ability to learn.  It was a good lesson, unfortunately not for the other girl.  She has gotten herself expelled from our school.

Well, we're still working on where babies come from.

I will say that I have been pretty frank in everything we've discussed.

My position, when the time comes (probably within the next 2 years since she is 5.5 now) will focus largely on the science of it.  The hardcore reality is that drugs (and alcohol) alter what and how you learn and are physically damaging to young brains.  They are not in any way necessary or connected to any of the things that she aspires to now, and I hope it stays that way. 

After all, it is hardly very princesslike to be a meth addict! 

What is done after the age of majority is less controllable, but until that point, helping them make the right choices is critical.

Personally I feel that a lot of medications are harmful as well.  I'm for a drug free America.  I just don't think it should be limited to the ones we term 'illegal.' 

My boys are kinda young to really dive into specifics. They have seen their great Grandma and Grandpa smoke before. I talked to Joshua about the dangers of smoking, but he already thought it smelt gross. As they continue to age, I plan on sitting all of them down and going through the dangers of drugs and drinking.

I myself have never tried drugs. I don't hardly ever drink myself. While I am proud of that, I sometimes wonder if I would be better equipped to talk to them about the dangers of these things had I tried them myself. Now, I am not going to run out and try them so that I have knowledge about them, but I do wonder.

I have to be honest. We had some serious problems with drugs and our daughter. I love Michelle to death, but she put us through some challenging times. Her are my opinions on what you can do to make it easier and better for you.

1. Watch out for any and all signs of trouble. Missing curfew, slipping grades, problems getting up in the morning. I think we noticed these too late, thus the problems began.
2. Talk to your kids early. It's amazing how young kids are trying drugs at these days. It's important to reach out to your kids while they are young and still value your opinion.
3. Reach out to other parents. It's important to know everything possible about how to help and what to look for. I think we are all doing this by discussing this here. Keep it up.

I have already had the talk several times with my 9 yr old.  Simple reason of my husband's brother is an addict and when my children were in IL 2 yrs ago, he was there at my in-laws (which I was furious about when I learned after the fact) that they would put my kids in a situation like that with him there.

My kids went to IL to stay with my parents and my husband's.  Well he got in trouble in TN - had to flee, so he ran to dad, on the ONE night in 2 weeks they stay there - they pick him up at the bus station.  I was livid and let my in-laws have it. 

They were not concious enough to repsect my feelings, of knowing if I was there, my kids would not have been because he was there.  Reason being, my kids do not need to see that stuff or what it does to you at the age of 7, 5, and 4.

My 7 year old was the only one that caught on that something was wrong, and she has asked several times since then about drugs, the effects, etc.  I am very honest with her about it.  We talk and actually she has taught me some things from her classes at school with the officer there when he talks.

Needless to say when my kids will not be staying at the inlaws anytime soon.