Pubdate: Thu, 06 Apr 2017
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2017 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Stephen Bloom
Page: A12

CHILL OUT BUT STILL TEACH KIDS CONTROL

Re Parents dreading legal weed should chill out, Teitel, April 4

I'd like to thank Emma Teitel for her unsolicited and largely unproven
parenting advice regarding pot use.

We practiced democratic parenting when our children were younger in
the 1990s and tried very hard to parent by example. While there was
some booze in the house, it was always used in moderation and the
children were allowed to partake under controlled circumstances. There
was never any drug use.

We had open discussions about drugs, sex and booze. In fact, we were
open about just about everything with our children when age
appropriate.

One of our children eschewed pot and built a fairly strong life for
herself with a career and a good future. The other abused alcohol and
marijuana starting when he was a very young teenager and while now (in
his 30s) has a more settled life, has little education and basically
no transferable skills, lacks the kind of ambition and future needed
for success in this world.

Perhaps Ms. Teitel should refrain from parenting advice until she has
experienced some parenting of her own and shown that her methods are
successful.

Habitual marijuana use can be dangerous and detrimental to a young
person's future.

Parents should not "chill out" but be aware of their child's
behaviours and, while openness is important, so is some measure of
teaching control.

Stephen Bloom, Toronto
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MAP posted-by: Matt