butterflyluver

At what age did you expkain drugs and addiction to your children? Do you think at age 4 that something isnt right with the addict? And if so should I be honest? Thanks everyone.

aasharon90

My 2 kids were 6 and 4 when family did
an intervention on me where I spent 28
in rehab with a 6 week outpatiant aftercare
program attached.

I felt that it was the responsible thing
for family and myself to educate our
kids about addiction and my alcoholism.

In fact I educated them on many things
to prepare them for life outside the home
because if they didnt learn it from us as
parents at home then they would learn
from strangers and possibly get mixed
messages.

My two loving, caring, talented, college
degreed, and one married today and own
their own homes, no addictions have always
known that if they were to ever have a
problem with addiction that I would be
there to help them. Thank God I havent
had to as of today.

With 21 yrs sobriety, they know that I
have a life built on a recovery foundation
with tools and knowledge of my addiction
with steps and principles and Faith to
live a happy healthy life a day at a time.

Where else could they recieve first hand
knowledge of addiction and recovery than
right in our home from their parents and
family.

butterflyluver

Thanks so much cynical!!!

Jody675

i spoke to my children about "appropriate touching" at age 2 and 3 as i was a survivor of sexual abuse. i wanted to make sure my kids knew that their body was theirs only, and if someone made them feel uncomfortable then they could tell and keep telling until someone listened.

i don't think its ever too young to talk to your kids about things that could affect their safety or health, but it just needs to be kept to an appropriate language and amount of detail.

good luck.

gggl67

My daughter had just turned 4 years old when I no longer could skirt the truth with her. I knew as things were unfolding that it wouldn't be long until she started putting the pieces together and boy was I right. Her dad (who didn't live with us) started using again and she noticed his lying, how unpredictable he had become and wondered why days would go by without hearing from him. As she asked questions, I answered them honestly. I have to say those first few questions threw me into an anxiety attack, but I blazed through with the truth. His addiction has become part of her story and she tells it like she would tell someone about what she did at school that day. "My daddy has a disease and sometimes he makes bad choices so I don't get to see him much. Mama and I pray for him all the time." It is amazing how much she seems to really understand. I read somewhere that no matter how horrible the truth seems (age appropriate, of course) it isn't half as horrible as what their little minds make up to fill in the blanks. We are a work in progress, but please feel free to contact me directly. We can never have enough people who are going through the same thing in our corner. Best wishes to you!

story74

Such a great question. I, myself, haven't yet gotten to that point...YET. my son JUST turned 4. I will be honest and kind and never talk poorly of his father. I am waiting for the questions to give the answers. Taking it day by day, but am very aware and am relying a lot on instincts and common sense. But, I will educate him on drugs and alchol and consequences. Keep it very simple, as too much info at too young an age can create uneeded anxiety.

Blessings.