Granddaughter’s parents both addicted?
by Leticia
I am raising my 7 year old granddaughter. Both her parents have addiction problems. I need information to guide me in trying to prevent my granddaughter from trying drugs. Maybe you have an specific program or can recommend books.
Please help!
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Prevention Tips
God bless you for stepping up and taking care of your granddaughter. There are all kinds of books and all you have to do is visit the library or comb through the listings of Amazon, but you probably don’t know that you are the single best line of defence. Talk to your grandchild, not as her buddy or her friend, but as her grandmother. Have a dialog, an on-going, open, honest conversation with her. She already knows something is wrong, but rather than sugar-coat it, talk with her on her level. You don’t want to throw her parents under the bus, but they are an example of how people’s lives can go very wrong. You can turn to Al-Anon for support here, as they understand. They have grandparents just like you, who are picking up the pieces. Keep the dialog going and be sure to listen to her. Let her tell you about her feelings. Your relationship will be a great influence on her future decisions. |
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Granddaughter’s….
I give you a lot of credit for taking care of your granddaughter and I’m sorry to hear about her parents. I definitely think that at her age you could start to talk to her about drug and alcohol abuse and the devastation it causes. They are family diseases (alcoholism and drug addiction) meaning that they affect the whole family, which, it sounds like, you have already experienced. Once she’s a little older she could start attending Al-Ateen meetings (for children of alcoholics or drug addicts). I also suggest that you attend Al Anon meetings (for families and friends of alcoholics and drug addicts). There you will meet others with the same or similar situation as yourself. Getting some help for yourself should also help your granddaughter. I am a recovering alcoholic and my son is in jail for driving while under the influence of drugs. He did have 7 months clean and then relapsed. Hopefully he will stay clean after jail. I try to get all of the support I can get-I go to Al Anon meetings, I see a counselor, I talk to my minister and I see a physician’s assistant. Best wishes to you and I will pray for you-Lynette
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