The Real Drug Talk #5

Turn on your television set or pick up the newspaper and teachable moments abound. Stories about fictional or faraway people allow teens to comfortably ask and answer questions. Critiquing marketing efforts — such as e-cigarette ads — can get teens thinking about substances, making them realize how much their emotions can be manipulated by messaging. Sometimes these conversations turn up problems closer to home, and in those cases, understand that you’re not alone and teach your teen that getting help is a sign of strength. Even families with open communication channels benefit from guidance from other adults such as doctors or therapists. 

Click here for another 100-word parenting tip.

About Melissa Ford

Melissa Ford is the senior strategist at Women Online. As a writer, she covers a diverse range of topics including education, health, technology, and parenting. She is also the mother of amazing twin teens.

Read more articles by this author

Get our weekly newsletter for practical tips to strengthen family connections.