Parenting Teens

I wanted to provide some general marijuana “weed” information to parents because let’s just face it, the teens are using it quite a bit and I wanted to share information that the general parent may not know.

This article will not be about “here’s marijuana and here’s what it does to your teen’s brain on drugs” or here’s marijuana this great end all cure all that you can get from the Weed Doctor down the street.  I’m in Florida where the medical marijuana card is available and there is a business called the Weed Doctor here.

BTW I’m not knocking medical marijuana, there is a medicinal value in it.  I see that but I think the marijuana card is being over sought for people without valid medical reasons who just want to be able to smoke marijuana all day every day.   Let’s get off that soap box 😊

I want this blog post to be informational in the real world, street sense so that you, the parent can:

• Identify signs that your teen is using it
• Be aware of what the paraphernalia may look like
• And how to manage their behaviors now before drug use gets out of control

How to Identify the Signs

Let’s face it if you are a parent of a teen or college aged child, they can be sneaky on occasion.  Right?  If we are brutally honest, well their behaviors typically have an underlying motive or incentive.  This age group is typically all about acceptance with their peers.  Hence the sneaky factor enters the picture.

I’m not sugar coating this article so if you feel that your teen would never be sneaky that is fine and please don’t be offended.  However, most of the adult drug addicts and alcoholics I work with started by innocently smoking weed/marijuana with peers.

Anyways to get back to the weed info and signs they may be using it.  Go with your gut.  You know your child better than anyone and you know what if you pay attention to their actions and words they will be able to tell you what is going on.

Sooo if they are isolating themselves in their room or won’t say 2 words to you and this continues for a bit, you may want to touch base with them to make sure they are ok.  If they are lying and being deceitful, that typically means they know what they are doing would not get your approval so they are hiding something.  Be a super sleuth and figure it out.  Go through their room when they are at school.

Some parents feel this is a violation of their teen’s privacy but the way I look at it is they are under your roof (your roof/your rules) as well as there is a worsening drug crisis in this country and it typically starts in the teen years so it is super important you be aware of what and who your teen is spending time with and what are exactly are they doing.

Cause for Concern May Look Like:

• Anything locked is ALWAYS suspicious
• Do they have Visine laying around or are asking you to buy it for them?
• Are they snacking way more than usual?
• Are they more sluggish than normal?
• Do they vape? (many times kids are using vape pens to use THC)

The Paraphernalia

Marijuana is not the same ole’ joints that we remember from the 70’s.  There are many different ways to use it and as a parent you need to know this because like I said most teens will be exposed to it at some point in middle and high school.

THC (the main ingredient in Marijuana) can show up in many forms:

• Looking like a plant or bud (the 70’s looking weed)

• in Oil or Wax products and form (can be added to a vape pen)

• Edible products (which can be hard to detect because it will not have the unique marijuana smell)

You may find bongs, pipes, lighters,  rolling papers, vape pens hidden in their room or backpack.

So now if you found something what should you do….continue to read my friend 🙂

Oh Sh*t, You Found Something

Now what?? you may ask, I searched and found something.  Remember you may be angry, well you probably are angry and scared but being confrontational never works.

Think back to how you reacted when your parents or anyone for that matter accused you of something.  You shut down and didn’t listen and that is true for anyone especially a teen.  If you come off lecturing, they won’t hear you. Shoot if you came off lecturing to me, I wouldn’t hear you either 😉

When the situation is calm, that is when you talk to them about this.  It is best to use good effective communication skills to start the conversation and pick a time when they do not appear impaired and are not angry.

• You can reaffirm to them that you love them and want the best for them because honestly, what parent does not want the best for their kid? Everyone does.

• Ask them if it’s a good time to talk. If not, ask when is and that it is an important matter.

• If you must bend the truth and tell them you heard from some other parent that they may be using marijuana, so be it. At least it gets the conversation to marijuana without being accusatory, argumentative or judgmental.

• Also account for the fact that your child may have been misinformed by social media and friends that marijuana is good for them since “it’s natural and safe, it’s not a gateway drug, they aren’t a drug addict” etc.. and the list goes on

Remember your tone of voice and body language when talking to your teen because it can make or break a conversation.  If it’s an angry tone with a hand on your hip, you will get it right back from them.  Concentrate on being calm, loving, kind and a good listener.

So below please list any questions about marijuana and teen use or any strategies you have used to open the lines of communication with your teen.  I would love to hear them.