Chapter 1
You're Not Alone!
If you are a parent or caregiver of a teenager visiting this website, chances are you’ve been in a similar situation to Debbie's Mother in the clip above. Regardless of culture, parents can be frustrated with changes they may see in their child as he or she grows into the teenage years. One concern is whether their child is beginning to use drugs.
If your child is not a teenager, you may consider looking into the future for strategies that help you deal with this behavior when it arises.
Like a lot of parents, Debbie's mother was reluctant to share difficult parenting experiences because she was fearful of being judged. However, parents who find it difficult to share their concerns may miss out on opportunities to get support from other parents facing similar situations.
Feelings of concern, frustration, anxiety, self blame, anger and even despair are common when raising teenagers. Parents' confusion over sudden behavioral changes of their teenage child are quite normal.
Is it just me, or does everybody feel this way?
