Mini panic attacks about kids

[OnourwaytoWDW]

I am having mini panic attacks today about my kids.
I had a woman come into the store and said that kids in this town do drugs because there is nothing else for them to do. I asked one of my employees (grown and raised here, not me!) and she said pretty much. Even the ones you look at and you would swear up and down they don't, they do.
So then I started to worry about what opportunities my son has in this little bodunk town. Not many! (Kokomo, IN)
Then I started to worry about my kids being gone for two weeks to visit my folks in Michigan. Again, the worry that my parents won't be able handle my maniac dd2yo. And then my ds10 will have to step in. I'm ok with them being gone that long, it's my folks that I'm worried about! Alex is the best kid ever, Laurel, a little firecracker.
It'll be ok...deep breaths in and out. I'm really gonna miss my kids.

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

Well.. I don't think you have to worry about them taking drugs!!! I understand you worring that your parents won't be able to handle two kids for that long, but if that was a real concern, would you have allowed it in the first place? Your just freeking our because its getting close (or there already there). Don't worry so much, just think about the fact that you'll have a 2 week break!!!! OMG that must be NICE!!! No getting up in the middle of the night, no poppie diapers.... You can just get up and go out whenever you want.. wow, can I come over??!??

 

[OnourwaytoWDW]

I know it'll be nice. DH and I going on a date. No whining, poopy butts, and just "going" at a moments notice. But, I sure am going to miss them.

Actually, I told dh about the disboutique and how I really want to learn how to sew. He said he'd help me pick out a sewing machine. I could get a jump on all of that!

 

[sunnyday123]

Your parents raised you, and you're alive, right?? Just kidding, I know the feeling. My X takes our daughter for 5 weeks in the summer ( basically every other ) and it kills me. What if she gets hit by a car, falls in the pool, chokes on something....yes, she's 10, can swim and can see cars. It's just someone else is going to be watching them, and as a Mom, deep down, you just don't think anyone else can do it as well as you can. It helps if you say all your worries out loud to the person you're leaving them with, to get it all out. Trust me. Think about all the meals you can have without saying, "sit down, sit down...see if you had sat down you wouldn't have fallen out of the chair!" Good luck.

And the drugs...kids can get them anywhere. Talk to them ( they are never too young...ok maybe DD is ) keep them busy, and talk to them some more.

 

[minkydog]

Awww, it's gonna be okay You're completely normal in my book. I tend to "terrible-ize" things. You know--DS5 swipes a pencil and I immediately see him serving time in Sing Sing.

Drugs are a fact of life in every community. If kids want them, they can get them. The greatest factor in preventing drug usage in kids is having close relationships with parents and grandparents. It sounds like you've done a great job so far and will continue to do so. Try not to worry about those things right now. Your kids are still very young--there's plenty of other stuff to worry about.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

I have so many panic attacks about my kids that I have never even opened the worry wart thread on this board! I am afraid it will give me just one more thing to worry about!!

For what it is worth, I grew up in an even smaller Indiana bodunk town than Kokomo, and I never did drugs. Now I am raising my kids in the "city" and I worry they are missing all the small town values and will surely come across gangs and drugs! We just do the best we can to instill values in our kids!

Relax and enjoy your vacation!

 

[CathrynRose]

YOu know - be honest with them, from as young as they'll understand.

Thats what Ive done with mine and my 17 y/o does not drink - does not use drugs. He's not some big nerd, who does great in school kind of kid either... you'd *think* he does. He's a loud mouth, with long hair... BUT, he doesnt.

A few of his friends, heck a LOT of his friends, do. In December one of his friends passed away from a heroin overdose. Heroin!!! I live in a snooty, rich Chicago suburb....heroin.

But - Ive been nothing but honest with my boys. Have you ever smoked weed? Yes - I have.... Ever done Coke? No way - Ive seen too many people do weird stuff. Ever do Heroin? No, I also had a friend pass away from this drug when I was in my 20's.

Ive been absolutely honest with them - I make it clear Marijuana isnt on the same level as heroin. So when your child does try it (and they very well might) and see's it's not TERRIBLE, they wont believe the propaganda that theyre all the same....KWIM?

And - be nosey. I have a MySpace - and not for my own personal fun. I act like it is though... so I have my kids on there, as well as allllll their friends. I can read and see everything theyre doing.

And I have allllllll their friends numbers programmed into my phone.

Nosey - and Honest. Thats my advice.