Advice for a Teenager/Young Adult Off on Their Own
The first time your teenage or adult child leaves home alone, what should they already know?
Of course, there is basic safety and security, such as dealing with dodgy people, keeping money safe, and advice for airports and travelling, what to do and not to do on the plane, guidebooks and who knows what else.
One thing not to forget is talking about alcohol and drugs, especially if their first trip alone is to somewhere like Ibiza with a bunch of friends!
Balance with drug education
There is a balance of not going overboard with drug education and equally treating it so lightly that it gets brushed aside.
A preventive measure is always best, before your child is around and offered these drugs. That means you may need to start at about 10 years of age, or younger! It may seem young, but drug taking can start young.
Reason
The reason for starting so young is that once gateway drugs such as alcohol, marijuana, glue or pills are tried, and are ‘so much fun’ your warnings may fall on deaf ears. Better to get your advice in there much earlier.
You must tell the truth about each drug and not exaggerate the dangers. If your children see others using drugs and having fun, instead of overdosing, getting sick or dying—they may not believe the other drug education you have given them. If it's relevant and factual, on both the “fun” side as well as the dangers, it should match with what they see in from of them… and they will hopefully take heed to all the warnings.
