When I load up books in my arms from the Goodwill I am happy to include books that will provide teaching moments for the kids.
"What are Drugs?" was a book I happily read to Emry many years ago when she was 5 or 6. Emry has always devoured books, especially informative books dealing with science, the body or animals. She's a smart girl and being a smart mom I could touch on the subject of drugs.
I happily talked about what a wonder the human body is.
We talked about health & different hazards.
Alcohol & Smoking. No problem.
Marijuana. O.K. I can hastily touch on that. I am sure this book is almost done.
Cocaine and Crack???? Did I just say that to my 5 year old????
Is my darling girl with big bright curious eyes & pigtails staring at a crack pipe???
We put that book back on the shelf. Emry would get it out every once in a while and flip through it.
Luckily we've moved on to other topics. She's 11 now so we've had to have more serious talks. About growing up and ALL that entails.
Emry woke up this morning in a panic because she slept in late and wanted to get to school early so she could read in the library (as she does most mornings).
Her school has lots of great books & I am sure a few inappropriate ones as well.
But when you learn about crack cocaine at 5, really, what's considered inappropriate?
Marie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm dying right now, cracking up laughing-eyes are watering-I can barely type-you're killin' me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOn a more serious note; glad you are educating your kids in the way of street smarts, especially because because of that area you live in-kinda sketchy and all...... :)
Oh my goodness...."is she staring at a crack pipe." That's awesome-keep it coming....
Love you,
Shauna
Oh my gosh! This is hilarious!! I can only imagine what you must have been thinking as you kept reading further and further into the book! :o)
ReplyDeleteBlanche Sims looks like she got a little extra accurate in her illustrations! I mean, including a razor blade and everything? Wow!
I'm sorry, I looked it over again, and again dying...I can't stop...I'm burning my waffles. What's hilarious is the cartoon crack pipe. I mean illustrated in a book like that, it doesn't look so bad!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOkay, this might be my favorite post yet-hilarious......
Good Grief... explaining crack and cocaine to a child? Yikes. I'm sure you had a creative way of explaining things, though.
ReplyDeleteLove the illustrations...
I work in addiction recovery and lost a close family member to addiction, and it is absolutely heartbreaking. I say there is no time too early to talk to kids about such issues. It is better if they hear it from a trusted and reasonable source (parent) than peers who don't know all (or even any) of the facts. So go you for being open and honest with your kids!
ReplyDeleteThat is intense, and a little hilarious! I can't believe someone would include crack in a kids book! But, it sounds like your daughter is very smart! I definitely was NOT going to school early to read at 11-years-old. You have obviously done many many things right as her mother :)
ReplyDeleteAllie, All parents have to broach subjects when they are comfortable but I agree with you that the earlier the better.
ReplyDeleteI am very factual with my kids and tell them the realities of this life. It is out there and I can't shield them from it so I have to empower them with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions when drugs are presented to them. It's not a matter of if, but when, I do know that for sure.
I want my kids to hear it all from me first so they know where they stand when it is brought up.
When it comes to Sex and Drugs I give information and will answer ANY questions, but tell them it is extremely inappropriate to discuss these things at school because most likely they and also Glenn and I could get in serious trouble.
hm.. i think at 5 years old crack is inappropriate. at least though your daughter loves reading! just have to watch out the type of books she reads but seriously a drug book at 5
ReplyDeleteI love this. Crack info at 5?! Why not. :)
ReplyDeleteMeg, you're right, 5 is young. Luckily at this age you can say just a few things and they are satisfied.
ReplyDeleteKids pick up very easily on your body language and if you get all worked up they just want to know more, but if you come across something you are not ready to address just look them in the eye, give the facts you want, and it should suffice them.
That has been my experience anyway.
Love this post - happy your daughter loves to read - mine doesn't at all - unless she reads me papers she's written!
ReplyDeleteI find the "A drug-free kids book" sticker on the cover mildly ironic...
ReplyDeleteMy kids LOVE human body books, though - and we have stumbled on a couple inappropriate ones.
One thing I always thank my mom for is my love of reading.
ReplyDeleteOMG that book is too much. But really it is great that you are so open and honest with your kids, start it at an early age because it makes it easier for them to talk to you when they are older.
ReplyDeleteoh my word. that's a little overboard if you ask me! i don't want my kid learning about dirty needles and crack pipes before she even goes to school. crazy!!
ReplyDeleteAs long as you answer, you'd be surprised with how little information will pacify your kids. At this point my daughter had seen a few people smoking so I was happy to talk about that, but she obviously didn't know what the heck drugs were.
ReplyDeleteI didn't go into too much detail at all but explained it was very bad and that it could kill people. Then I quickly turned the page.
I am more than happy to answer any and all questions my kids have. I grew up with parents who didn't communicate as well as they should have with me so I am all for informing and empowering. Not necessarily at 5, but when I deem appropriate which is usually, unfortunately, earlier than I would have thought.
LOVE IT!! NICE POST GIRL!
ReplyDeletewww.aroundlucia.com
www.aroundlucia.com
I don't think there is a too young. It all depends on what your child is around and who they come in contact with. You'd be surprised what five year olds see and know. All children aren't blessed with a nurturing environment!
ReplyDeleteI really want to implement this same method with my kiddos. I think it is so important for kids to hear information from their parents first. It also shows a child that there is never a question that is off limits. Better that they ask their parent about drugs instead of some silly kid in their school!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe they have books on drugs.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sad state of the world when our children have drug paraphernalia in their picture books! OMG!
ReplyDeleteIn a way it's super smart to have them know what it looks like and be informed before anything dangerous could happen in life, but egads!
What? I am totally speechless right now...I now have to fear children's books? The worry just never ends...
ReplyDeleteLOL!! oh.my.goodness... I love that you're open with your kids and allow them to learn things through you rather than other sources, that says a lot about the type of person you are. As a substance abuse counselor I see VERY young children in my office. I often wonder how young TOO young is to start sharing about drugs and alcohol. Learning about crack cocaine at five sounds a bit excessive though. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think that book for a 5 year old is a little too out there with the crack.
ReplyDeleteI just read in the paper this week that marijuana use is on a major increase for teens. They seem to think it isn't that bad and I guess it's easier to get than alcohol. Scary.
ReplyDeleteHats off to you Marie. I pray and hope I find your strength when it comes to educating my daughter about all the ills in this world. *shudders*
ReplyDeleteHoly wow that book was detailed! Its interesting that they put ALL tha stuff in there...Youd thing theyd leave it at drugs and alcohal..not descirbe all of them, ha. Good for you for teaching your kids, even if its a at young age. Actually, I would rather teach my kids at a young age then have them learn it from some random person at school..im sure you feel the same! Goos job : )
ReplyDeleteWow, what they didn't tell us when we "signed up" for parenthood! This is madness! Great job on teaching your kids RIGHT!
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