1. Set an example
"If we are to encourage healthier attitudes among the young, adults need to think more carefully about the examples we set for our children".
Except for common sense, studies have also shown that teens that have parents who drink or use drugs are more likely to do the same. A very recent study (2009) by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University showed the following:
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Compared to teens who have not seen their parent(s) drunk, those who have are more than twice as likely to get drunk in a typical month, and three times likelier to use marijuana and smoke cigarettes.
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51 percent of 17-year olds have seen one or both of their parents drunk and 34 percent of 12- to 17-year olds have seen one or both of their parents drunk.
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Teen drinking behavior is strongly associated with how teens believe their fathers feel about their drinking. Compared to teens who believe their father is against their drinking, teens who believe their father is okay with their drinking are two and a half times likelier to get drunk in a typical month.
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The survey found that five percent of 12- to 15-year old girls and nine percent of 12- to 15-year old boys say their fathers are okay with their drinking. Thirteen percent of 16- and 17-year old girls and 20 percent of 16- and 17-year old boys say their fathers are okay with their drinking.
Teens' behavior is strongly associated with their parents' behavior and expectations, so parents who expect their children to drink and use drugs will have children who drink and use drugs.
2. Love each other
One of the most powerful things that can help a child to feel safe and secure at home, is when spontaneous demonstrations of love is evident among members of the family. Especially when parents show affection for each other. Hugs and smiles between Mom and Dad, even in the kitchen, in front of the children, leaves children feeling good, strong and secure in this home.
Explain to them what true love is. A child should not be confused about the true nature of love in this world. What is portrayed on TV and in movies is the complete opposite of what love really is. Love is what you do for a person, not what you get out of the deal. Love is also so often seen as lust. This is wrong and parents are responsible to help form and guide the child's understanding of this truth. Drug and alcohol abuse goes along with immoral and loose living. Girls who smoke are more likely to sleep around than those who don't.
3. Quality time
Along with love, parents need to spend more quality time with the kids. We live in a society where people are so busy climbing the corporate ladder or gathering treasures, but what greater treasure do you have than your child? Spending quality time does not mean that you put them down in front of the TV, movies or PC and continue doing your own thing. Do something with them. Go for a walk, involve them in one of your activities or get involved with theirs.
Parenting Tips
The Modern Family & Parenting Principles
For the past 40 years or more the signs of the family's collapse have been paraded before us continually: divorce, the sexual revolution of the 1960's, abortion, sterilization, delinquency, infidelity, homosexuality, radical feminism, the "children's-rights" movement, together with the normalization of the single-parent home, the decline of the nuclear family, and other similar signs. We have been watching the braiding of an intricate rope that will ultimately strangle the family to death.
Consider the following anti-family values our society has already accepted:
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Divorce is available on demand for any reason, or for no reason at all.
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It is now improper to speak of "headship" in the family as a masculine responsibility.
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Married women with children are encouraged to work outside the home.
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Entertainment and television in particular, dominates home life.
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Killing a baby seal for fur is criminal; yet killing unborn human infants for any reason whatsoever is defended as a matter of free, personal choice.
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Pornography of the most debauched sort is allowed.
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The responsibility to raise children has been given to parents - not teachers, child-care workers, peers, or other people outside the family! If you don't take on that responsibility, someone else will!
Principles for parenting
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Children should be seen as a Blessing, not a hardship.
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Parenting is supposed to be a joy, not a burden.
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Success in parenting is measured by what the parents do, not by what the child does.
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A child's most important influences come from parents, not peers.
(SOURCE: John MacArthur)
PLEASE NOTE: TNT is not against single parents or children who grow up with a single parent.
We do, however, feel that it is not the best situation for children to be in.
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