Ep. 3: It’s Not About Being Right: How to have early and often conversations to prevent drug and alcohol use

How early do we need to have conversations with our kids about drugs and alcohol? Studies show that the best age to begin these conversations is between the ages of 8-11 years old. Having early and often conversations really do make a difference when your child is confronted with choosing to try or use alcohol or other drugs. We speak with CTC partner Laura Wiechecki from Compass Mark to learn strategies on how to have these conversations with our kids--both what NOT to do and what can work really well. As we learn today it is not about being right but about being connected. Join us! 

Compass Mark’s mission is to prevent addiction through education, skill-building and community mobilization. In Chester County Compass Mark offers free evidence-based drug and alcohol education programs for students in K-12, thanks to funding from the Chester County Dept. of Drug and Alcohol Services. 


Listen on: Spotify Listen on: Amazon Listen on: Apple Podcasts

Things we mentioned during our conversation:

Tips On How To Have Early and Often Conversations:

  • It is not about being right but being connected and building trust--we don’t need to lead with facts and statistics

  • Use I Statements: “I feel ___ when you do ___ because it makes me feel ___.” For example, “I feel upset when you come home later than the curfew we talked about because it makes me feel worried and wondering if you are okay.”

  • Lead with empathy and open ended questions


Learn more about Compass Mark here: www.compassmark.org 

Follow Compass Mark on:
Facebook - @CompassMark - https://www.facebook.com/CompassMark
Twitter - @CompassMarkInc - https://twitter.com/CompassMarkInc
LinkedIn – Compass Mark - https://www.linkedin.com/company/compass-mark/mycompany/
Instagram - @CompassMark - https://www.instagram.com/compassmark/
YouTube – Compass Mark - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMIT_1Rmv3kMNfIVbvoZR1g

Resources from Compass Mark: 
Research & fact sheets - https://www.compassmark.org/research-fact-sheets/
Help line – online chat at compassmark.org or call at 717-299-2831 (available M-F 8AM-5PM)
Physical resources available at our office – 590 Exton Commons, Exton, PA 19341
Find help in Chester County - https://www.compassmark.org/find-help/find-help-in-chester-co/
Upcoming free virtual events - https://www.compassmark.org/events/

Communities that Care has a Parent to Parent Blog and many online resources and webinars. Please follow us on socials for more tips, resources and support:
Instagram @downingtownctc 
Facebook @DowningtownAreaCTC 
Twitter @DowningtownCTC 
YouTube
LinkedIn

We would love to hear from you! Please email Chrissie Dziembowski with any questions, comments or other feedback at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org 

Find the episode webpage and previous episodes HERE. 

Bethann Cinelli