In the video today, I talk about my first conversation with my oldest son regarding drugs. The whole deal was precipitated by the Michael Phelps bong pic, but it was probably well overdue. What is the right age to begin this conversation? Any techniques or ideas about how to discuss this issue with younger kids? Does this topic freak you out? Or do you feel confident that you can guide your kid through this territory safely?

I think it's interesting that there is nationalized institutionalized anti-smoking agenda. When I was vacationing down south, a friend offered me a cigarette. I respectully declined and he told me, That's right, you're American and Americans don't smoke cigarettes.<br><br>Even though I've never smoked pot or cigarettes for that matter, I do like a shot of hard liquore once every so often. I don't even like beer, but a couple shots before watching sports or before a special meal is nice. So how does one explain that as an adult (which Phelps is) that it is ok to have a socially responsible drink but not a socially responsible puff? Or is it just about smoking? Perhaps brownies would be acceptable.<br><br>Lucky or rather unfortunate for me, I have plenty of extended family from the generation when smoking was cool that live at the cemetary and I can take my boy for a visit and explain to him how they died from horrible cancers. And it's even easier to explain what kind of damage synthetics can do. But since pot's negative stigma begins to fade, the best you can do is try to instill social responsibility in your kid. That's something that really doesn't have anything to do with drugs.

I received the same response during a trip to Taiwan.

I worry about answering the questions Did you do that Dad

I'm 34 and I still want to ask my parents if they did that.

I worry that if I say yes, but I was 21 (no, seriously, no chit)... Yes will be the only thing he hears.

The flip side is those of us who havn't used drugs negatvely is that the kids may ask well how do you know if you haven't tried it?. Although I'll admit I can't see my oldest saying this but definitely my youngest.

In my house we have sketched in who will have which conversations, including who will help out with the conversations about things we have not done. I've never done drugs, but have done stupid things with fire, for example. My sister-in-law has already volunteered to tell all of the girls (because as of now, they're all girls!) about their monthly friend.<br><br>I'm sure that if you don't have experience with drugs you still know someone who has. To me, it's all about putting real stories into the conversation.

Ah, the eat your vegetables argument... How do you know you don't like green beans? You've never eaten them. <br><br>I used to be down on my pot smokin' friends, until one of them hit me with that one. I was stunned, but recovered quickly and shot back with I'll stop givin' you crap about it, if you STOP ASKING ME to smoke with you. He agreed that was fair. And he was there years later when I tried my vegetables... nevermind...

Nice video today, really enjoyed it.<br><br>Since our kid is only 2, I'm not going to start worry about this one yet. Actually, at this point, I am more concerned about the marital discord that will arise over this issue. Although I'm not a user myself (don't even drink really), I have a moral responsibility as a hardcore Libertarian to fight for the rights of other people to do whatever they want with their own bodies, as long as it doesn't affect any other human life. So I suppose I will need to figure out how to explain to my daughter that drugs are a bad idea for her, but she shouldn't be judgemental about other people's choices.<br><br>My wife respectfully disagrees with all that.<br><br>Ahhh...yes...severe martial discord coming up in about 10 years!

I actually did this a little yesterday on a trip home from up north with my son. I used Heath Ledger's death as a segway with also talking about overdoing prescribed drugs. I never did any drugs and still only drink about once a year so I decided it would be better if I talked to my kids in case the, Did you do it? question arises. Especially after I went to my wife's 10 year high school reunion and found out how wild, for lack of a better term, she used to be.<br><br>Also I started to wonder if my talk would be different with my girls as it was for my son. Growing up as a boy I never had anyone pressure me into doing drugs. If anything people would respect the decision and then sarcastically say all the things we heard in those health movies we used to watch in middle school. On the other hand, I think my girls might be more pressured to do drugs by boys with nefarious intentions so the discussion will be more about being defensive than making the right choices. I don't know. I am just paranoid about those nefarious boys.

What a great vid DC! Well played, good form, sir. And way to go Bubba for puttin' Dad on the spot in the first place! Steroids, drugs AND cheating... That is a great point.<br><br>I have a few years to get more and more paranoid about this, but as of now, I think I will try to really instill the idea that pot is a bad idea, not only because of the legality, but because of the other responsibilities and activities that it will affect harshly. You have to accept the consequences and responsibility of recreational drug use. And it's simply too much for a kid, even though they know everything.<br><br>I'm with ya 100% on the Phelps thing DC. I feel his drunk driving decision a few years ago was MUCH more idiotic. What he does on his own time, particularly when it doesn't affect me one iota, is none of my damn business. Here's hoping the jerk who only took the pic so he could sell it for $100K learns about Karma in the form of a mugging or maybe a blanket party thrown by the others who got arrested stemming from raids after that photo was released... (at parties with no more than a few joints) Shall I tell you how I really feel about that dirtbag? >:<br><br>(steps on soapbox) I am of the opinion: If you take away the legal aspect of pot, therefor eventually, eliminating the drug lord control and violence aspect of it (think prohibition and the mob), let alone the revenues generated and prison population relief, and medicinal aspects, pot really only has the EXACT same #1 problem as alcohol. People are stupid. If you drink/smoke responsibly, you can enjoy it. When you cross that line and drink/smoke and drive, or drink/smoke and go to work, or while AT work, you should be punished. For being really farkin' stupid. You've made a choice that no longer affects only you and your body. You've endangered others lives/businesses... (steps down)<br><br>There are other hardcore drugs that I cannot speak about because I have zero experience with, or witnessing. But I've seen enough of media (both news and Hollywood) stories and interpretations to understand those are just a bad idea physically and mentally. Meth mouth? YIKES! Crack Head?<br><br>I think I'll use stereotypes to my advantage when the time comes... Describe a Pot Head(insert your choice of drug user slang here). Ok, do you REALLY want to be labeled as THAT? Why would anyone want that? Stereotypes are not always applied correctly, HOWEVER, they did develop for a reason. They are not just random descriptions. Otherwise, ALL of us Dads would be wearing pink shirts and commenting on random stuff on the interwebby...

Tons of great responses here, guys. And thanks for the positive feedback on the video -- kind of a new step for me. Sharing more personal experiences with my kids. Wasn't sure exactly how it would play.

I suppose the personal video is like an extension of your written blog.<br><br>It was somewhat reminiscent of Nalts. (you do know Nalts, right?).

We've always talked about it with our kids. My wife and I both smoked and our oldest two remember when we did. We have always told them that it was a bad decision that we made and that just because we did it, doesn't mean it was right. We quit about the time they really started taking notice of it. We also were very clear that we quit together. In other words, we made sure that they knew that when we made bad decisions, we worked through them with each other. Kind of made good from bad. We still talk about it casually, they come home and talk about all the nasty drugies. I guess that makes it a little better. The first time my step daughter asked if she should get me another beer, that was it for me drinking more than one in front of her!