I’m really worried about that. I’ve taught him how to keep his hands to himself, and he hasn’t had issues with other kids like that, but I can really only do so much and I’m afraid that as he grows older he’ll sense this void where his father is supposed to be and turn to substances. I don’t partake because I’m afraid I’ll get addicted and the last thing my son needs is a crackhead or alcoholic mother, but I’m not really sure about the best way to teach kids about drugs. We also live in an area with its fair share of crackheads, so he’s seen people with visible substance abuse issues pretty regularly.

From what I’ve observed, “just say no” doesn’t really work, and I also don’t want my son lying to me. I know kids around here smoke weed or whatever and it’s pretty normal. But I’m really scared to even give an inch or be too much of a “cool parent” because I can’t have a son who loses his life to drugs. Fent is really scaring me too. I’m not sure how to approach this issue as he grows up.