OhanaLink Health Kids - Health, Wellness & Parent Resources

Just as important as having the “talk” with your tween or teen about dating and sex is talking with your child about drinking and drug use. Even though raising both topics may be daunting, having these discussions early on is the first step toward keeping them safe.

In 2019, results from a National Survey on Drug Use and Health revealed more than 7 million Americans between the ages of 12 and 20 consume alcohol. In recent years, other drugs, such as marijuana and prescription pain medication, have also become increasingly widespread among youths.

Risks of Alcohol and Drug Use in Teens

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, risks of substance use among teens may do the following:

• Affect the growth and development of teens, especially brain development.
• Occur more frequently with other risky behaviors, such as unprotected sex and dangerous driving.
• Contribute to the development of adult health problems, like heart disease, high blood pressure, and sleep disorders.

Instilling a love of reading at a young age will plant the seeds for your child to grow into a lifelong reader. And who doesn’t love escaping to another world with a...

As parents, we continually strive to limit our kids' screen time.

Screen time recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for children...

I remember hearing a story message of a plant outgrowing a pot but not yet ready to inhabit the next size up. The speaker described the plant as literally dangling...

Any parent raising a toddler knows how difficult it can be to maintain good discipline. When you least expect it, your child is likely to throw a tantrum while you feel helpless.

Timeouts might not have had a positive effect on your child’s behavior that you had hoped. It is not surprising because kids at that age can’t fully grasp the link between their actions and consequences.

Consider the words of Anne Sullivan: “Children require guidance and sympathy far more than instruction.”