How to talk to your kids about drink and drugs - CFN newsletter Week 97

CHRISTIAN FAMILY NETWORK NEWSLETTER 97

> Ways to tackle drink and drugs with your children
> News:
> Breaking barriers at the Co-op
> Salvation Army's lifesaver for Iraqi families
> 'Creationist' Christian schools in expansion move
> Sites:
> Christian-run holiday centres, holiday sites, hotels and guesthouses
> Playleader launches e-newsletter
> Marriage MOT: Love is not ... irritable
> You've got to laugh: How do you get to heaven?
> Members' Zone latest

Dear All

One of those hectic weeks at the moment - so just time to say: enjoy this latest newsletter, mail us with your views on anything you read, tell us what's going on where you are - and don't forget to use the bulletin board!

If you haven't got round to renewing your membership to CFN, do it today! If you've any questions about your membership, just call our subs department on 01903 602136 or e-mail subs@christianmedia.org.uk

God bless

Russ Bravo
Christian Family Network
info@cfnetwork.co.uk
http://www.cfnetwork.co.uk

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ADVICE

Talking with your children about alcohol and drugs

• A resource article from Good News Family Care

The issue of drugs can be confusing to young children. If drugs are so dangerous, then why is the family medicine cabinet full of them? And why do TV, movies, music and advertising often make drug and alcohol use look so cool? We need to help our children to distinguish fact from fiction - and it's never too soon to begin. Studies show that the average age when a child first tries alcohol is 11; for marijuana, it's 12. Many children become curious about these substances even sooner. So let's get started!

Listen carefully
Student surveys reveal that when parents listen to their children's feelings and concerns, their children feel comfortable talking with them and are more likely to stay drug-free.

Role play how to say "no"
Role play ways in which your child can refuse to go along with his friends without becoming a social outcast. Try something like this, "Let's play a game. Suppose you and your friends are at Tom's house after school and they find some beer in the refrigerator and ask you to join them in drinking it. The rule in our family is that children are not allowed to drink alcohol. So what could you say?"
If your child comes up with a good response, praise him. If he doesn't, offer a few suggestions like, "No, thanks. Let's go on the GameCube instead," or "No thanks. I don't drink beer. I need to keep fit for football."

Encourage choice
Allow your child plenty of opportunity to become a confident decision-maker. An 8-year-old is capable of deciding if he wants to invite lots of friends to his birthday party or just a close pal or two. A 12-year-old can choose whether she wants to be in the choir or join the school orchestra. As your child becomes more skilled at making all kinds of good choices, both you and she will feel more secure in her ability to make the right decision concerning alcohol and drugs if and when the time arrives.

Go to the rest of this article - with advice on age-appropriate information, building good friendships, self-esteem and more - in our Advice section at http://www.cfnetwork.co.uk/members/advice.asp

> THIS WEEK'S NEWS

> Breaking barriers at the Co-op

Banana farmers from five different countries are to help Co-op stores attempt to sell more Fairtrade bananas than ever before in High Street history.

Go to http://www.cfnetwork.co.uk/members/news.asp for the full story

> Salvation Army rolls into Iraq

A convoy carrying 120 tonnes of cooking fuel has arrived in Umm Qasr, Iraq - and it could prove a lifesaver for thousands of families there.

Go to http://www.cfnetwork.co.uk/members/news.asp for the full story

> Creationist schools in expansion plans

The organisation behind a state-funded secondary school that has been criticised for promoting biblical creationism is to open two inner-city academies, and is in talks that could bring seven schools under its control, reports The Times.

Go to http://www.cfnetwork.co.uk/members/news.asp for the full story

> MARRIAGE MOT

> Check out our archived marriage tips in the Members' Zone, plus stacks more marriage resources at http://www.2-in-2-1.co.uk

Love is ... not irritable!

You’ve had a bad day. The boss has told you off. The traffic was bad and the dog had left a mess on the garden path.You’re fed up and you want some sympathy or at least to let out your frustration, but your wife has not had a very good day either. What do you do?

Grump at her because the dinner isn’t ready? Moan about the mess the place is in? Or go up to her and give her a hug and tell her you love her and she’s the most important person in the world to you?

I wonder which is most loving and most likely to help you both have a good evening?!
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> EVENTS

> YOU'VE GOT TO LAUGH

"If I sold my house and my car, had a big garage sale, and gave all my money to the church, would I get into heaven?" I asked the children in my Sunday school class.

"No!" all the children answered.

"If I cleaned the church every day, mowed the lawn, and kept everything neat and tidy, would I get into heaven?"

Again the answer was: "NO!"

"Well then," I continued, "how can I get to heaven?"

A five-year-old boy shouted: "You gotta be dead!"

> CHRISTIAN FAMILY NETWORK THIS WEEK
(MEMBERS' ZONE) - http://www.cfnetwork.co.uk/members/default.asp

> Advice

> How to tackle the tricky subjects of drink and drugs with your children
> 'Don't annoy your kids!' - putting the Bible's advice into practice
> Kate's marriage tips: by category

> Resources

> When your parents decide to be mature missionaries: a son writes
> Seven wonders of the world?
> Care for the Family launches Bringing Home the Prodigals

> News

> Breaking barriers at the Co-op
> Salvation Army's lifesaver for Iraqi families
> 'Creationist' Christian schools in expansion move

> Top sites this week

> Christian-run holiday centres, holiday sites, hotels and guesthouses
> Playleader launches e-newsletter

> Events: More of what's on near you

> Webwatch Index: more than 500 sites at your fingertips

> Site Search Engine: the easy way to trawl our 500-page plus archives

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