Raising Drug-Free Kids: 100 Tips for Parents

by Aletha J. Solter

In a nation where an estimated 25 percent of high-school seniors use illegal substances on a monthly basis, parents are wise to be concerned about setting their children on a drug-free course. While much advice handed out these days focuses on teen behavior and on what to do once drugs have become a problem in the home, Raising Drug-Free Kids takes an innovative approach and focuses instead on preventative measures that can be followed early on in a child's life. Developmental psychologist and parent educator Aletha Solter provides parents with simple, easy-to use tools to build a solid foundation for children to say "no" to drugs. Organized by age group, from preschool through young adulthood, the handy 100 tips will show parents how to help their children Feel good about themselves without an artificial high. Cope with stress so they won't turn to drugs to relax. Respect their bodies so they will reject harmful substances. Have close family connections so they won't feel desperate to belong to a group. Take healthy risks (like outdoor adventures) so they won't need to take dangerous ones.

Genres: Parenting

240 pages, Paperback

First published August 25, 2006

About the author

Aletha Solter, Ph.D. is a Swiss/American developmental psychologist, parenting consultant, and director of the Aware Parenting Institute. She holds a Master's degree in human biology from the University of Geneva, Switzerland (where she studied with Dr. Jean Piaget), and a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

When Aletha's first child was born in 1977 (following a traumatic birth) she did not find any parenting books that advocated attachment-style parenting and non-punitive discipline while taking into account the impact of stress and trauma on children's development.

The first book she wrote, The Aware Baby (revised in 2001), is the one that she would have found helpful as a new mother. The Aware Baby has been translated into many languages and sold over 200,000 copies worldwide. Her six other books have also been translated into many languages. All of her books are based on scientific research.

Aletha has led workshops for parents and professionals in 18 countries and is recognized internationally as an expert on attachment, trauma, and non-punitive discipline. She has appeared on TV in the U.S., Europe, South Africa, and Asia. She lives in Southern California and is the mother of two grown children. She is also a proud grandmother.

She founded the Aware Parenting Institute in 1990 to help spread this approach around the world. There are now certified Aware Parenting instructors in 27 countries. For more information, please visit the Aware Parenting Institute website at www.awareparenting.com. You can also find us on Facebook.

Reviews

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great advice for just being a good parent in general. A lot of these 100 tips don't seem to be directly related to preventing drug abuse, but they promote connections between parent and child, while others simply teach children how and why to take good care of their bodies. There is also plenty of discussion about talking to your kids early and directly about drugs. Chapters are divided by kids ages (birth to age 3, 3-6 years, 6-12 years, 12-18 years, 18-25 years.) It's great to know there are things I can do now, and I'll probably reread this in a few years.

I docked it one star because it obviously strongly supports the Breakthrough Parenting method (do not use rewards or punishments for anything, don't use quantitative compliments such as "Good job", and there's no sense making your children say "sorry.") I do not understand or support Breakthrough Parenting, but otherwise this book is fab.

[Canan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alan uzmanları için oldukça basit bir kitap olacaktır. Ebeveynlere tavsiye edilebilir nitelikte bir kitap, daha çok bağımlılık sorunu üzerinden ilerlemiş yazar ve temel mesaj ‘çocuğunuzla bağ kurun, doğru zamanda bilgilendirin, sağlıklı iletişim yolları bulun’ olmuş. Nasıl yapalım bunları kısmı ise nispeten eksik.

[Sarah Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. It all just clicked.

A book I have been searching for. Easy to read and the words all seem to click for me. Highly recommend. I only wish the other books but this author were in kindle too