Elaine Pasqua, CSP, is a dynamic nationally recognized keynote speaker and trainer who has transformed the lives of more than half a million people nationwide. She helps young students generate positive choices, healthy communication, and respectful relationships in their lives. Elaine shares on this week’s episode how to have tough conversations with your teens so that they understand the consequences and risks of underage drinking, drugs, sex, and more.
Key Takeaways
- Why do teens take such big risks?
- Teenagers think everyone is drinking underage, having sex, and partaking in drugs more so than they actually are. However, this misconception makes them want to do it too so that they’re not missing out.
- Elaine shares some interesting stats that are actually skewing the teenage perception/experience.
- How do you talk to your teens about drugs and alcohol?
- Fathers need to be engaged in the conversation about this.
- Elaine shares why alcohol is so damaging to the human body.
- Every teenager is intelligent. You have to give them the stories as well as the facts of what these illegal activities can do to you.
- Keep in mind that your kids model what they see.
- Why is marijuana so bad? It’s all legal now!
- Keep citing the examples and keep talking about the consequences. This is not just a one-time conversation.
- Remember, as parents, we only have so much control. We have to educate them to make good choices, even when they’re not around you/living in your household.
- The decisions you make as a teenager are stepping stones into adulthood.
- Elaine shares additional information on the negative consequences of high-risk drinking.
- The best time to talk to your children about real issues is in a car.
Resources:
Quotes:
“As teenagers, the brain has basically lost its guardian angel and the little person saying, ‘I wouldn’t do that if I were you.’”
“The important thing is to continually talk about the consequences, citing stories, and it’s not just one conversation. It should also be age appropriate.”
“Some of the most important phases of our brain development are happening in late teens and into the age of 25. Alcohol interferes with the brain development, and you can actually arrest the cognitive development of a young person.”
