Power of Parents ® High School Handbook
Chapter 2
Short Term Thinking
I can just try it once.
I don’t want to be left out.
This would make me look cool.
My friends drink.
I should post this.
What am I doing this weekend?
The teen brain focuses on what’s happening right now. Often, when a teen thinks ahead, it usually means they are wondering about what to do this weekend, not next year. This puts teens at a disadvantage when they face choices about risky behaviors that can have long-term consequences, such as substance- use. That’s why talking to them early and often about substances will help them build thinking and planning skills that will help them see further into the future.
Teens may know the potential risks of drinking alcohol or using cannabis but think, “My friends drink and use cannabis and nothing bad has ever happened to them.” That friend’s experience can have more impact than facts. Do not assume that giving information or statistics is enough to convince your teen not to drink alcohol. Often, teens believe, “Nothing bad will happen to me.” They assume negative things happen to others, not to them.
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