Child Protective Services: Protecting your child from harmful “Fads” and “Trends”

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By Mia Bolaris-Forget

Remember when your parents were ready to have “The Talk” with you. Back then, most likely it referred to sex and relationships. But, today, it seems there’s lots more to include in “The Talk”, including some of the latest concerns regarding certain sexually transmitted diseased and some of the new adolescent fads that are literally putting the lives of our youth in serious danger.

Among these according to experts, one in five children by the time there are in the eighth- grade will have given into the temptation of experimenting with some kind of drug. And many of them “get high” on common household medications including leftover prescription pills and meds, cold and allergy medications and over-the-counter drugs, making it essential for parents to literally keep track and an inventory of everything they have in the house, including where various pills are stores and how many are in each bottle or packet. You may also want to (inconspicuously) mark bottles of cough medicine, liquid meds, and alcohol so you’ll know if any is missing. Furthermore experts add, you’ll want to check your child’s room (frequently), his/her book bag, coats, jackets, etc. monitor Internet searches and look for the following warning signs that may signal that your child is doing something he or she shouldn’t be and could be in trouble.

· A shift in personality or mood (especially for no apparent reason); and that means in either direction, from happy to sad or reserved to (all of a sudden) outgoing.

· Your child has a new set of friends, and is ambivalent about inviting them over; having your meet them, or there’s something you simply don’t like about them.

· There is a (negative) change in academic performance, and a loss of interest in usual activities, friends, and studies.

· Money starts missing or your child asks for more, and more, and more….and, more frequently.

· Your child takes excessive amounts of cold or flu medicine and continues to take it after symptoms have subsided or are gone.

Long Island Family Life & Parenting Articles > Child Protective Services: Protecting your child from harmful “Fads” and “Trends”