THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is the most well-known component of marijuana, and it is the one that "gets you high," so to speak. But have you heard of CBD? Many parents haven't, or even if they have, they aren't sure what to make of it or even understand if their son or daughter is using CBD. What's certain is that it's becoming more and more widely ...

This month marks the five year anniversary of the Parentally Speaking column. Since its debut, we have discussed many topics related to helping children thrive without the distraction of alcohol and other drug use.Your feedback has been positive, and I am grateful to know this column has given parents and other caregivers a little bit of much-neede...

As parents, certain stories catch our eyes and make us stop and think. Recently, a news story illustrated the link between underage drinking and sexual assault. Regardless of the final charges, this story provided a teachable moment for adults, an important reminder that there's a strong connection between alcohol and sexual assault. But first I need to make one statement -- I don't want to make conclusions that aren't supported yet about the woman's guilt or innocence or whether she used alcohol to aid the alleged sexual assault; she is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Regardless of what she may have done, there is a strong connection between alcohol and sexual assault. Here’s one basic fact -- alcohol is the drug most used to facilitate sexual assault, and it's used in half of all sexual assaults. Additionally, it inhibits your teen child’s ability to: Think clearly,Set limits and make good choices,Think...

What is it about this time of year that makes otherwise rational parents seem to lose their grip on reality? Think about it. Parents who would never consider putting their 17 year-olds on a plane for Daytona Beach during Spring Break, proudly wish them well when they head for an unsupervised weekend at the Jersey shore. Somehow, the dangerous drinking and casual sex they have seen on television couldn’t possibly be happening at Seaside. “Not my Kid” becomes a parent’s wishful thinking mantra. Studies have revealed that 40 percent of teen traffic fatalities during the prom and graduation weekends were alcohol-related. In fact, underage drinking is a major factor in the two leading causes of teenage deaths: car crashes and fatal injuries. Underage high-risk drinking (and make no mistake, this is the only way they drink) is also linked to two thirds of sexual assaults and date rapes of teens and...

When it comes to parenting, there are two insights I want to share. My first is for parents. In our work, we often hear parents talking about difficult relationships with their adolescent children. Many are desperate for what sounds like friendship with their teens. These parents hesitate to address problematic behaviors such as changes in friends, sex, drinking, or marijuana use. These topics make both parties uncomfortable. My message for parents is that parenting, especially parenting an adolescent, should be uncomfortable. Most of us may wish to avoid conflict and do so whenever possible. As a parent, conflict with adolescents over everything from musical tastes to fashion should be expected. So too, should many difficult conversations regarding parental expectations and consistent consequences for not living up to those expectations. There are things that must be said and done that teens will not like. How many of us can remember one of...

By Jackie Kimelman, Wellspring intern Lately, there has been an evident rise in the trend of grandparents raising grandchildren. One of the major causes for this occurrence is when the parents of the child have drug addictions. The amount has increased so significantly that some states are beginning to take action in order to better accommodate the families that this happens to. One state that is making a noticeable effort to help with this is New Hampshire. They recently signed two different bills into law that are aimed towards the protection of children who need to be raised by their grandparents because of their parent(s) having issues with drug addiction or incarceration. The two recent bills are referred to as HB 629 and SB 148. HB 629 has two main focuses. The first focus is aimed towards creating a preference for the grandparent(s) to be appointed the child’s guardian, if the...