As a parent, you are the most important influence in your child’s life and their decision about how they handle stress, if they make healthy decisions, and how they handle peer pressure. Don’t underestimate the influence and impact you have in their lives.
Children of all ages — including teens — want to please their parents. When you talk to them about your expectations they will try to meet them.
- You are their first and most important teacher, no matter their age. Whether it is facts about the risks of substance use, to how to address peer pressure, to healthy ways to cope with stress.
- Set clear rules and consequence to keep them safe. Their brains are still developing, and they need to understand the consequences of risky behaviors.
- Adolescents care about our values and want to know what it means to be a good person.
- Adolescents want to know their parents’ opinions about substance use and value those opinions more than they do that of their friends according to national research.
- Be a good role model by demonstrating responsible, healthy behaviors.
We have selected several resources specifically for parents/caregivers below.
Resources
Alcohol
Why Teens Shouldn’t Drink Alcohol (resources from Parenting Montana.org)
211 Maine: Dial 211 or text your zip code to 898-211
Brain Development, Teen Behavior and Preventing Drug Use (article from Partnership to End Addiction)
Marijuana
Medication Misuse
Medication Safety Posters from the Northern New England Poison Center
Downloads available in multiple languages:
Mental Health
HealthlyChildren.Org: Sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics, this website provides a wide-range of resources for parents of teens and young adults. https://www.healthychildren.org
National Institute of Mental Health: Working to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses, NIMA’s website provides guides and brochures directed at parents. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
Teen Health: This website helps parents care for their child’s ups and downs, from dealing with divorce to preparing for new siblings. Also provides information on how to understand your child’s behavior, whether it’s toddler tantrums or teenage depression. http://teenshealth.org/parent/emotions/
Teen Mental Health: Geared towards teenagers, this website provides learning tools on a variety of mental illnesses, videos, and resources for parents and caregivers. http://teenmentalhealth.org/care/parents/
Vaping
Electronic Cigarettes
Basic information about e-cigarettes from CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health.
Other resources
Lakes Region Recovery Center, Bridgton, ME
Supports for people in recovery and family/friends of someone with a substance use disorder. Offers virtual and in-person meetings/classes, recovery coaching, and peer-to-peer supports
Portland Recovery Community Center, Portland, ME
Supports for people in recovery and family/friends of someone with a substance use disorder. Offers virtual and in-person meetings/classes, recovery coaching, and peer-to-peer supports
Westbrook Recovery Liaison
Danielle Rideout
Call or Text: 207-303-4009
Email: drideout@westbrook.me.us
NNEPC.org Northern New England Poison Control: 1-800-222-2122
211 Maine: Dial 211 or text your zip code to 898-211
