Quote:
Originally Posted by Mattyk72
I think regarding kids they need to be educated and not hid or sheltered from drugs.
Whether we like it or not, kids are going to be curious and want to experiment no matter how great their home life is.
I'd personally feel alot better if I were open and honest with my kids rather than trying to pull the wool over their eyes with propoganda and that 'just say no' crap I was fed in the 80's.
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But as a parent you have to recognize your role, you can educate, but you have to draw the line at allowing anything illegal to take place. You have to teach them that there are rules and consequences, and that breaking the laws means there will be consequences. If you catch them drinking underage and you don't issue a punishment, you've essentially sent the message that the behavior is acceptable.
Whether you think underage drinking is acceptable or not is completely irrelevant. In the eyes of the law, it's unacceptable. As a parent, you have to make your kids accountable to the laws of the land, or you're failing them.
I do agree that it's important to educate them on the damaging effects of drugs, including alcohol and tobacco. so they can make their own decisions. This builds their confidence as you show faith in their ability to make sound decisions on their own. But ultimately you have to hold your children accountable when they do break the law, or they will grow up with depreciated respect for authority, thinking the laws don't apply to them.