~Lead By Example~
Your addictive behavior puts your child at risk. In fact, parental behavior is the top influence on a child's later behavior. The link between parental addictive behavior and risk to their children of developing addictive behaviors is well established. Rather than telling your child to “do as I say, not as I do,” which is ineffective, prevent addiction from developing in them by practicing moderation in your own life. You will increase the chances that your child will do the same.
~Be Consistent and Firm With Boundaries
The trend in parenting has moved from strict to lax to mixed messages concerning parent discipline. Both excessively strict and excessively lax discipline styles are unhelpful to children, and they result in them making up their own rules -- without your guidance. Setting rules that are fair and appropriate will help to prevent addiction from developing by your child lacking the ability to set limits for themselves. Emphasize health and safety, so that your child will understand the reasons to have the limits in the first place. Then, stick to the limits you set.
The trend in parenting has moved from strict to lax to mixed messages concerning parent discipline. Both excessively strict and excessively lax discipline styles are unhelpful to children, and they result in them making up their own rules -- without your guidance. Setting rules that are fair and appropriate will help to prevent addiction from developing by your child lacking the ability to set limits for themselves. Emphasize health and safety, so that your child will understand the reasons to have the limits in the first place. Then, stick to the limits you set.
~Take Care If Your Child Has a “Difficult Temperament”
There are many reasons that children have behavior problems. Children are significantly more likely to have “difficult” temperaments when they have parents who use substances; they are also at greater risk of mistreatment by their parents, as parents’ make efforts to discipline them. While having a child who is difficult to discipline is stressful for you, inappropriate parenting causes even greater stress for the child, who is then at greater risk for coping in unhealthy ways, such as developing addictions. Prevent addiction from developing in the future by ensuring you don't scapegoat your child, or mistreat them while you try to control them. Seek professional help if you are struggling.
There are many reasons that children have behavior problems. Children are significantly more likely to have “difficult” temperaments when they have parents who use substances; they are also at greater risk of mistreatment by their parents, as parents’ make efforts to discipline them. While having a child who is difficult to discipline is stressful for you, inappropriate parenting causes even greater stress for the child, who is then at greater risk for coping in unhealthy ways, such as developing addictions. Prevent addiction from developing in the future by ensuring you don't scapegoat your child, or mistreat them while you try to control them. Seek professional help if you are struggling.
~Avoid Physical Punishment
While the debate on whether or not parents should use physical punishments seems neverending, one thing is clear. Physically aggressive parenting has been linked specifically with child aggression. Be aware that parenting practices are more likely to cause oppositional and aggressive behaviors in your child than to cause hyperactive behavior problems. Prevent addiction from developing by using non-physical punishments. Expressing warmth (see next tip) will facilitate the process of helping your child respond well to the parent discipline you do use.
~Nurture Feelings of Warmth Toward Your Child
Parental warmth is one of your most powerful tools in preventing your child from experiencing behavioral problems. Research has shown that a parent's feelings and expressions of warmth toward their child can even override weaknesses in other areas of parenting. A lack of warmth from parent to child is particularly associated with oppositional behavior. So, if you find your child is talking back, contradicting you, and generally opposing the boundaries you try and set, reflect on how warmly you have interacted with your child recently.
While the debate on whether or not parents should use physical punishments seems neverending, one thing is clear. Physically aggressive parenting has been linked specifically with child aggression. Be aware that parenting practices are more likely to cause oppositional and aggressive behaviors in your child than to cause hyperactive behavior problems. Prevent addiction from developing by using non-physical punishments. Expressing warmth (see next tip) will facilitate the process of helping your child respond well to the parent discipline you do use.
~Nurture Feelings of Warmth Toward Your Child
Parental warmth is one of your most powerful tools in preventing your child from experiencing behavioral problems. Research has shown that a parent's feelings and expressions of warmth toward their child can even override weaknesses in other areas of parenting. A lack of warmth from parent to child is particularly associated with oppositional behavior. So, if you find your child is talking back, contradicting you, and generally opposing the boundaries you try and set, reflect on how warmly you have interacted with your child recently.
