When thinking about your two, three or four year old, I bet the last thing on your mind is talking to them about drug and alcohol use. I’ve just blown you away, right? Here’s the thing: if you talk to them in response to their questions or comments about it, it means more to them than a lecture 12 years later.
I’m not saying to sit your two year old down for a substance talk-that wouldn’t be age appropriate and certainly not effective. However, when you hear a toddler, a very verbal two year old, say, “I have cigarettes from the store,” you are presented with an opportunity. This happened with my program kiddos the other day while engaging in dramatic play. I didn’t want to give it too much attention and/or judgement so I was thoughtful in my provocation. I simply asked her to tell me about them. She talked about the smoke, and came around to coughing. I asked if cigarettes were okay for her to have: “I’m not a grown up yet, I’m still growing so I can’t have them.”
Seems like the conversation has begun at her house. As a mom of a ten year old son and the granddaughter, niece and daughter of family members with substance problems, I think it’s important to talk with kids early about things like drinking and driving. For me, teaching my son about responsible consumption is as important as teaching him how to tie his shoe or zip his coat. If these values are ingrained early, he will be better equipped to make decisions as an adolescent and adult.
Yesterday evening, while out for a bike ride with his wife, a man I’ve known for many years was killed after being struck by a drunk driver. He left behind two children and his wife. He was a valued colleague to many and he was committed to making the community a better place.
I wonder if that drivers family ever talked to him about drinking and driving? Maybe they did, and he still wasn’t responsible with his choice. But maybe they never got around to it…
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JenniferCyrFamilyChildCare 