kid puma shoes For Your Reading Pleasure
Talking to Your Kids About Drugs: Why and How to Get the Dialogue Going

When you are a parent, there are many things to worry about. Keeping your kids safe is at the top of the list. First, you worry about the pacifier your infant dropped on the floor--so you pick it up and wash it with soap and water. Next, your toddler isn't eating enough vegetables, so you do your best to hide some veggies in his meat loaf. Then, you bite your nails as your second grader scales the tallest tree in the yard. You want to run and catch him when he starts to slip, but you see that he's beaming with excitement, so you stay watchful and quiet--careful not to spoil his fun.

As the kids grow older, the dangers they are faced with become more intense. One danger heavy on the minds of parents these days is substance abuse. And for good reason. With the popularity of "designer" drugs on the rise, and all the peer pressure kids are faced with, the worries parents encounter are mounting.

The Usual and Unusual Suspects

Sure, it's the usual suspects; experimenting with marijuana and alcohol that begin a pattern of self-destruction, but be aware, there are new drugs on the block, and they can be found in your medicine chest. According the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, the menu of drugs kids and teens are using is changing. They report 1 in 5 teens has tried Vicodin (a narcotic pain reliever) to get high, and 1 in 11 has admitted to getting high on cough medicine.

They also report a number of teens now "party" with other prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Along with the other illicit drugs out there that pose a dangerous risk to our kids, it's difficult not to be alarmed. The Partnership for a Drug-Free America (www.drugfree.org) is arming parents with need-to-know information about the risks of dangerous substances.

A local program reaching out

On the local front, there are programs that are taking action. Program coordinator for the Student Athlete Leadership Team (SALT), Paul Grafer, stresses the need for a proactive, honest dialogue between parents and their children about substance abuse. He oversees programs emphasizing leadership and character for young people in 40 districts in the New York Metropolitan area.

SALT trains thousands of high school athletes to serve as role models and mentors in their school districts to 5th graders. If you think 5th grade is too young to begin a dialogue about drugs--think again. National statistics show that the average age for experimentation with drugs and alcohol is 11 years old.

How does this program help? The SALT Program promotes healthy, positive behaviors and decisions. Included in this philosophy is a commitment to life long activeness and playing sports for enjoyment, health benefits, and to obtain life-skills; and, remaining substance abuse free by developing proactive, real-life refusal skills and strategies to navigate a culture of underage drug abusers (alcohol, tobacco, and steroids). The SALT Program is offered at Adelphi University in Garden City. For more information visit http://www.adelphi.edu/communityservices/sli/pdw.php

On Long Island

The grips of drugs are known to be prevalent on big city streets, but they are a problem here on Long Island. Suffolk County Police Officer Daryl Quinones explains, his experiences have given him great insight and compassion to those who are drug addicted and the knowledge that even experimenting with the "softer" drugs can easily lead a kid down a path of self-destruction and crime.

He suggests that parents must be truthful, and "lay it all out there' for kids to understand what may happen if they fall under the spell of drugs and alcohol and stresses the importance of speaking up before it's too late. "As a police officer I have spoken to teenagers about these issues upon parents' request," he says. "And on certain occasions, years down the road, I'll see the parents and they will thank me for turning the kid around." Quinones has seen the consequences when the child doesn't listen: they land out in the system for some drug related crime.

Expert Advice

So how do you get a child to listen? What do you say? When should you say it? I asked Dr. Susan Bartell, psychologist and author in Port Washington specializing in tween and teens, to shed some light on this important issue.

Q: What age do you recommend bringing up the issue?

A: You can start talking to kids about drugs beginning at six or seven--by talking about smoking cigarettes because that is something they see in their world and can understand that it is "bad".

As they get older (about ten) they can begin to understand the issue of other drugs. Middle school kids are ready for direct conversations, naming drugs (marijuana in particular) and explaining that they are illegal and dangerous.

Q: Can you give me some tips about how to make the "talk" go smooth?

A: With middle schoolers, look for a "teachable moment"...a TV anti-drug ad, a TV show when kids are drinking, smoking, using drugs and ask them what they think about it; then give your feelings in a low-keyed way, explaining that it is something you feel strongly about.

As kids get older--young high schoolers, the conversations need to begin to revolve around their social life: what would they do at a party if there was alcohol/drugs there. Help them come up with ways of handling it that aren't judgmental or critical.

Q: What's the biggest mistake parents make dealing with drug issues and their children?

A: They are too preachy, too critical of kids and don't give enough problem solving strategies. They also don't listen for their kids' concerns about how to handle peer pressure, or curiosity about drugs.

Q: How can parents be proactive about deterring their children from taking drugs?

A: First, being clear that you disapprove, next, making sure that you drive your child to and from parties or get-togethers--they'll be much less likely to use if they know you're picking them up. Don't let them get rides from other kids.

Q: Is there anything else parents need to know?

A: Conversations about drugs must include alcohol--which is also a drug and is actually usually the "Gateway" drug to others. Parents often feel that alcohol is okay, when in reality their kids can become alcoholics without them realizing it.

In addition, parents need to look for signs of chronic drug and alcohol use like: grades dropping, social isolation, secretive phone conversations, new friends that they don't let you meet; dropping old friends; sleeping a lot, changes in personality; sudden depression; sudden mood swings.

When it comes to raising kids today, it really does take a village. Keeping your child out of harm's way is no easy task, but experts agree that staying involved in you're your child's life-- is a great start. When they're young and scaling that tall tree, you stand back and let them giggle their way down, but when it comes to drugs, parents cant afford to be silent. There's too much at stake.

About the Author

Janene Mascarella
http://www.longislandexchange.com
February 03, 2006 2:33 AM Eastern

kid puma shoes Items For Viewing
Guess How Much I Love You

Guess How Much I Love You
All children want reassurance that their parents' love runs wide and deep. In Guess How Much I Love You, a young rabbit named Little Nutbrown Hare thinks he's found a way to measure the boundaries of love. In a heartwarming twist on the "I-can-do-anything-you-can-do-better" theme, Little Nutbrown Hare goes through a series of declarations regarding the breadth of his love for Big Nutbrown Hare. But even when his feelings stretch as long as his arms, or as high as his hops, Little Nutbrown Hare is fondly one-upped by the elder rabbit's more expansive love.

Anita Jeram's illustrations are bound to elicit an "aw" from even the sternest of readers; these loving rabbits are expressive, endearing, and never cloying. In turn, Sam McBratney tells a simple bedtime story of sweet familial love with humor, insight, and a delightful surprise at the end. Children and parents will love snuggling up for this one--a treat to be read again and again, just before the lights are turned out. (Click to see a sample spread. Text © 1994 by Sam McBratney. Illustrations © 1994 by Anita Jeram. Permission from Candlewick Press.) (Ages 4 to 8)

Customer Review: Great kids book!

Perfect for those who are shy about saying "I love you". Book makes it easy to express feelings with children. The characters in this book show a simple yet fun way of bonding between dad and child. My kids LOVE this book!

Sperry Kids Infant/Toddler Wave Sandal

Sperry Kids Infant/Toddler Wave Sandal
A sporty and resilient water sandal, the Sperry Kids Infant/Toddler Wave is a must have for your splash happy toddler. Velcro loop closures on the vamp and ankle strap make for a perfect fit and the quick drying neoprene upper forms comfortably to the foot. The lightweight and high traction outsole make this intricately patterned shoe safe for wet surfaces. The Wave is a perfect choice for long summer days at the beach or pool.

Columbia Sportswear Women's Benton Springs Fleece

Columbia Sportswear Women's Benton Springs Fleece
There's a reason that this Benton Springs Sweater is Columbia Sportswear's best-selling fleece style. The Benton's simplicity is its greatest strength. Made with MTR (Maximum Thermal Retention) fleece, you'll find the non-pilling, easy care fleece a blessing. Low-profile hand-warming pockets don't snag on whatever you're layering it under. Radial sleeves give freedom of movement for any sport or activity. Worn alone in the spring, or as a perfect layering piece, the Benton Springs is just plain good fleece.

About Columbia Sportswear
Founded in 1938, Columbia Sportswear Company has grown from a small family-owned hat distributor to one of the world's largest outerwear brands and the leading seller of ski-wear in the United States. Columbia's extensive product line includes a wide variety of outerwear, sportswear, rugged footwear and accessories. Columbia specializes in developing innovative products that are functional yet stylish and offer great value. Eighty-year-old matriarch Gert Boyle, Chairman of the Board, and her son, Tim Boyle, President and CEO, lead the company.

Columbia's history starts with Gert's parents, Paul and Marie Lamfrom, when they fled Germany in 1937. They bought a small hat distributorship in Portland, Oregon, and named it Columbia Hat Company, after the river bordering the city. Soon frustrated by poor deliveries from suppliers, the Lamfroms decided to start manufacturing products themselves. In 1948, Gert married college sweetheart Neal Boyle, who joined the family business and later took the helm of the growing company. When Neal suddenly died of a heart attack in 1970, Gert enlisted help from Tim, then a college senior. After that, it wasn't long before business really started to take off. Columbia was one of the first companies to make jackets from waterproof/breathable fabric. They introduced the breakthrough technology called the Columbia Interchange System, in which a shell and liner combine for multiple wearing options. In the early 1980s, then 60-year-old Gert began her role as "Mother Boyle" in Columbia's successful and popular advertising campaign.

The company went public in 1998 and moved into a new era as a world leader in the active outdoor apparel industry. Today, Columbia Sportswear employs more than 1,800 people around the world and distributes and sells products in more than 50 countries and to more than 12,000 retailers internationally.

Customer Review: Great product

The color (beet) is rich and beautiful. Shipping was fast and the price was reasonable. I am very happy with this purchase!

PediaSure Nutrition Drink, Strawberry, Case of 24 Cans- each 8 Fluid Ounces

PediaSure Nutrition Drink, Strawberry, Case of 24 Cans- each 8 Fluid Ounces
Customer Review: My 2-yr old daughter loves this

It has all the ingresdients found in Ovaltine - but it also has the all important proteins. SEVEN grams per serving. Generally, growing children require about 2g of protein per kilogram of weight (or about 1g per pound), so one drink provides about a third of my 24lb daughter's requirements.

A nice surprise - I actually received a case of 24-BOTTLES instead of cans. Not sure if it was an error, but it made my day.

Easter Designs Sugar Cookies

Diego Infant/Toddler Lighted Shoe

Diego Infant/Toddler Lighted Shoe
Help his newly exploring feet along with this adorable lighted sneaker from Diego. The suede upper has breathable mesh panels, whimsical cartoon detailing, and a ghillie lacing closure along with a hook and loop strap for securing the best possible fit. Additionally, comfort will never be an issue with the padded collar and tongue, mesh linings, and fully cushioned insole.

Customer Review: Great shoe

My son is a Diego fanatic and loves to wear his shoes! He loves to show his friends at daycare the flashing lights. I think the shoes are great quality for the price.

Sigg Baby Water Bottle (0.3-Liters)

Sigg Baby Water Bottle (0.3-Liters)
On-the-go, ultra lightweight, and shiny cool to Sigg's Baby Kidz are practically kid-proof 10 ounce (3 liter to our friends across the pond) aluminum bottles Amazingly rugged, crack-resistant, recyclable and reusable, and topped off with a ground-breaking interior lining that is 100% effective against leaching and combats residue build-up Features: Extruded from a single piece of aluminum for a solid structure Easy to clean and maintain for years Sigg is a proud participant in the 1% program, where 1% of all profits are returned to environmental causes Specifications: Material: aluminum Capacity: 10 ounces Weight: 35 ounces

Customer Review: Not a great item for baby or toddler, but quality product.

I purchased one of these in each size for each of my 3 children, and while the product met my expectations quality wise, this is not a great item for a baby or toddler. My youngest is 15 months, has no problems holding the bottle or drinking from it, I would recommend if you are buying this to get a pouch, as when filled with cold liquids the container itself is very cold to hold. She really likes the bottle and the only reason I won't buy her another until she is older is that the flow from the mouth piece is fast and very "airy" she is swallowing as much air as she is liquids, causing her to "choke" on it a lot. I like the fact that with the lid on and cap closed this bottle is spill proof, and even when left open and on its side very little liquid will leak out. Overall this is a great product, but more for kids who are a little older. (3 or so)

Richard Scarry's Best Busy People Video Ever!: (Kids First Award winner)

Richard Scarry's Best Busy People Video Ever!: (Kids First Award winner)
Huckle, Lowly Worm, and rest of the schoolchildren are inspired by their teacher's discussion about different kinds of occupations and what people in those fields do all day. The kids run to the schoolyard for some make-believe, playing at what they'd like to be when they grow up. Huckle becomes a grocer like his father, Freddie Fox a baker specializing in mud pies, and Rhonda Raccoon a truck driver delivering baked goods. Consistent with the usual excellence of the Richard Scarry video series, Best Busy People introduces the concept of how a complicated society functions, with everyone's job having an impact on everyone else's. The jokes are funny, the songs are sweet, and Scarry's popular book What Do People Do All Day? makes great supplementary reading. --Tom Keogh

Customer Review: Not enough time to enjoy it

It's a nicely narrated Richard Scarry story, but it cuts too short, not allowing a child time to learn the main characters. For the price I paid I would have preferred 2 or 3 Scarry episodes.

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