Start the conversation
Now comes the hardest part – starting a conversation. When is the best time to talk? What if my child has a lot of questions? How often should I follow up? Find the answers to these questions, and more, by clicking through each step below.
Before a conversation can happen, you need to prepare yourself by learning the facts about marijuana. Thankfully, this course was designed to help you do just that! If there are areas of the topic you still aren’t sure about, or you just want to know even more, check out the ‘Resources and references’ section at the end of the course.
When you start the conversation, it’s important to make it feel natural. This will make it more likely that your child will actually listen to what you have to say. Choose times to talk that are informal, like in the car, at dinner, or while doing an activity together.
During your talk, remember that you are not here to lecture your child. Instead, be patient, listen, and assure your child that you care about them and are here to answer any questions they might have.
It’s likely your child will ask many questions about marijuana. It may be easy to get flustered, but think back to step one: be prepared! If you did your homework, you should be able to answer most questions. And if you get stuck, look up the answer together so you are both informed.
No matter how many off-the-wall questions or scenarios get thrown your way (and they will!), it’s important to always remain clear and consistent with your expectations. If your bottom line is “I don’t want you to use marijuana”, make sure your child clearly understands that this is your standard for them.
When you finally have the conversation, it may end well with both of you being on the same page. That’s a great start, but don’t forget to check in occasionally with your child to see how they’re doing, and if they have any more questions. As they get older, keep following up! Their views will change, their peers will change, and marijuana will change right along with them.