Protecting Our Children From Dangers Lurking in the Shadows

Aug 3 , 2024
By Eden Sahle

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Frequent power cuts have led my family to dine out more often. While trying new dishes in the city is our goal, we look for child-friendly, quiet places or those that offer meals in the car.

Teenagers on school break swarm the streets of Summit and Bole areas. For them, the evening seems like the start of a new day. They are open and free, talking and laughing loudly, some smoking, drinking and taking selfies under the new street lights.

In what I consider a pricey restaurant, most of the seats were taken by teenagers. One night, we saw young women approaching a vehicle playing loud music. After speaking briefly, they drove off with the adult men inside.

As parents, my husband and I were terrified. We prayed for our daughter on the spot. Our dinner, which was supposed to be a happy time, turned into a discussion on how we could shield our daughter from such influences.

We had many questions: Why do their parents let them go out at night? Do they know their whereabouts? Do they understand what they are sponsoring their children into? Do they worry about their children's behaviour?

Teenagers focus more on rewards and taking risks than adults. They demand freedom from their parents and prefer their peers as they explore their personalities.

Teens exposed to addictive substances put their health and safety at risk. Their brains are vulnerable to being rewired by drugs that overload the reward circuits. This is why parents should talk to their children about the lifetime consequences of their choices.

Many factors contribute to teens' wrong decisions: personality, family interactions, and reliance on peers. They often want to fit in with their friends, and a wrong circle can lead them astray. Their curiosity also compels them to try things with their peers. They assume nothing bad could happen to them and may not understand the short- and long-term effects of their actions.

Most parents wait too long to have important conversations, thinking their child is too young. By the time they try to equip their children, it will be too late.

Psychologists recommend open conversations with children about drugs and bad decisions. Instead of using scare tactics, discussing how these choices can affect their dreams, health, and appearance is helpful.

Filtering the content they watch on media that glamorizes drug use or reckless lifestyles is important. Teaching children how to resist peer pressure and turn down bad offers can save them from harm.

Parents should pay attention to their children's whereabouts, no matter how much they trust them. Educating children on volunteerism and internships can provide valuable skills and opportunities, helping them understand the real world and dream big.

Having family rules is vital. Inform children of rules such as not riding in strangers' cars and leaving situations that go against their values. Craft an escape plan to keep them safe in various settings. Consistently enforcing consequences when teens break the rules helps them stick to them.

Parents are the biggest influence in their children's lives. Teens may seem to pull away while seeking independence, but they still want their parents involved. Maintaining a consistent and strong bond can keep them from engaging in unhealthy behaviours.

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PUBLISHED ON Aug 03,2024 [ VOL 25 , NO 1266]

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