DRUGS DRUGS DRUGS

It's gonna happen. Sooner or later, your kid will be offered a joint, a pill, some powder, a drink......something like that is just gonna happen. Just like when they learned all the curse words from taking the bus with the older kids. It's unstoppable. Like evolution.

But, if you prepare your kids BEFORE they have such an encounter, you will feel a great deal of relief. And guess what? So will your kids. At least they'll know that you know about what they have to deal with every day.

Trust me, it will bring you closer, before they inevitably start hating you. That happens, too, just like when you hate them. It's just the truth and it all changes anyway, for the good. Again, trust me on that, you'll be loving each other again in no time.

Bak to the Drug Dilemma. So here's how you do it: A little acting, okay? Have the husband be the generous drug-guy. Let him get into character, go up to Junior and offer him something that will "make you feel real good." Make sure he is as obnoxious as possible. Squirmingly creepy.

Your kid will be so freaked out by the role-playing, he'll run screaming when the real thing occurs.

And if we're talking middle school, be prepared because that's where alot of dealing takes place. Don't ask me how I know because I never give up sources. But those sweet, angelic kids who are disamingly polite when they meet you, "Oh you look lovely today," says little angel. Very Eddie Haskell, so don't trust him.

You must tell your kids that some of their friends are gonna get in trouble if they get into drugs. Because drugs just mask a real problem that needs to be discussed. Forget the slogans, the anti-drug commercials. Kids need to be told the truth, that if you have a desire for drug-taking then something is wrong with the family unit.

 Get the kids to always feel free to talk about anything that happens in school. They don't have to be narcs, they just need to stay clear from drugs and the people that have them. And they need to know they can trust your judgment and not make things worse for them. You know what I mean, by spreading rumors and the like. I've seen the damage that can create. Not good.

Keep the communication lines ALWAYS open. Make time to put those kids to bed. Alot of truths come out when they're in bed. It's in their DNA.

And be calm. You're prepared, just don't get paranoid.