Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens 243: How Do I Talk with My Teen About Alcohol and Weed?
Oct 28, 2025
Navigating conversations about alcohol and marijuana with teens can be daunting. Experts discuss the importance of starting these talks early, ideally in seventh grade, while focusing on safety over judgment. They unpack how parents' own substance use can influence their kids’ perceptions. Listeners learn about the risks associated with high-potency marijuana and the complexities of edibles. Practical strategies are offered, including allowing kids to deflect peer pressure using 'parental excuses' to keep communication open and supportive.
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Talk Before Teens Already Decide
- Lisa recalls a person who had sex for years before their parents had the birds-and-bees talk.
- She uses it to argue for getting ahead of sensitive topics before behaviors start.
Kids Learn From Parental Modeling
- Kids observe adult substance use and form beliefs from family behavior even if not using themselves.
- Parental modeling already shapes children's messages about when and why to use substances.
Check Your Own Relationship First
- Assess whether your own relationship with alcohol or marijuana is healthy before talking to your teen.
- If it's unhealthy, address it because it will affect how your kid deals with substances.
