Parenting is a difficult journey, it is like setting an anchor in a hurricane to save the ship from the disaster. It requires a lot of struggle and a good strategy. There is no such thing as a perfect parent, so just be a real one. Set boundaries when you need to, do what is right for your kids even if they don’t like it. If you have never been hated by your child, you have never done your parenting in a right way.

Parents are responsible in carving the good personality of their children. Research shows that parents play a significant role in the development of their teenagers. This is the most crucial age and can be challenging for the parents. It is the greatest fear of every parent that their child will become hooked with substance abuse. Parental monitoring can play a significant role in controlling the risky behaviors of adolescents. It can shield against adolescent substance abuse in a productive way.

What is Parental monitoring?

It is not a new thing, it’s like the old school thing to ask questions from your child where he/she will be, whom he/she will be with, and when will he/she be at home. Keeping the knowledge of child’s whereabouts, friends and activities is what we called parental monitoring. It includes the measures taken by parents to keep track of their kids, and the ways they respond when their kids break the rules.

Parental monitoring of teens behavior has been recognized as an important predictors of risky behaviors in young children. Low levels of parental monitoring will result in poor academic outcomes, use alcohol which lead to unhealthy adults drinking in future, and increased involvement in antisocial activities.

When should you start monitoring your child?

You can start monitoring in early childhood and continue throughout the adolescence. You can evolve monitoring strategies as your children grow and mature. When children develop into teenagers, parents think that the kids are more independent and doesn’t need more monitoring. But, consistent monitoring is required throughout the teen years, because when the adolescents desire for independence, they are likely to bring opportunities for more unhealthy or unsafe behaviors.

Parental Monitoring decreases the chances substance abuse in adolescents

Does parental monitoring make a difference? Yes of course! Research indicates that kids are less likely to make poor decisions, such as, smoking, drinking, being physically aggressive, or skipping school, whose parents use effective monitoring practices. It is vital to make clear communication about your expectations with your kids. Parental monitoring not only decreases the chances of substance use, it can also affect a child’s friendship choices.

Teens who realize that their parents provide support to them, they will less likely to make friends who use drugs and alcohol.

Kids are like a mirror, what they see and hear, they do. So be a good reflection for them. They are great imitators, give them something great to imitate. Behind every confident child is a parent who believed in him.