Preventing addiction is a major concern for modern parents, and many -- quite rightly -- wonder whether the child discipline techniques they adopt might influence whether their child will develop an addiction later in life. Confusing parents further, child discipline in the United States has changed and evolved over the past several hundred years. The below parenting tips can not only smooth the way for a better parent/child relationship, but some have even been proven to help increase the chances of a child avoiding addictive behavior.
Lead By Example
Your addictive behavior puts your child at risk. In fact, parental behavior is the top influence on a child's later behavior. The link between parental addictive behavior and risk to their children of developing addictive behaviors is well established. Rather than telling your child to “do as I say, not as I do,” which is ineffective, practice moderation in your own life. You will increase the chances that your child will do the same.Be Consistent and Firm With Boundaries
The trend in parenting has moved from strict to lax to mixed messages concerning discipline. Both excessively strict and excessively lax discipline styles are unhelpful to children, and they result in them making up their own rules -- without your guidance. Set rules that are fair and appropriate, and emphasize health and safety. Then, stick to them.Be Extra Careful If Your Child Has a “Difficult Temperament”
There are many reasons that children have behavior problems. Children are significantly more likely to have “difficult” temperaments when they have parents who use substances; they are also at greater risk of mistreatment by their parents, as parents’ make efforts to discipline them. While having a child who is difficult to discipline is stressful for you, inappropriate parenting causes even greater stress for the child, who is then at greater risk for coping in unhealthy ways, such as developing addictions.Avoid Physical Punishment
Physically aggressive parenting has been linked specifically with child aggression. In general, parenting practices contribute more to the prediction of oppositional and aggressive behavior problems than to hyperactive behavior problems. Expressing warmth (see next tip) will facilitate the process of helping your child respond well to your discipline.Nurture Feelings of Warmth Toward Your Child
Parental warmth is one of your most powerful tools in preventing your child from experiencing behavioral problems. Research has shown that a parent's feelings and expressions of warmth toward their child can even override weaknesses in other areas of parenting. A lack of warmth from parent to child is particularly associated with oppositional behavior. So, if you find your child is talking back, contradicting you, and generally opposing the boundaries you try and set, reflect on how warmly you have interacted with your child recently.
How do you show warmth toward your child? Expression of warmth can be as simple as how often you look at your child, smile at your child, and express affection toward you child.
