Caffeine is a good wakeupper, but it can be dangerous when taking in extreme amounts. If your teenager is a caffeine addict, it may be time to take some action. Here's how.
For the past several days you may have noticed that your teenager has had too much caffeine. She practically takes one cup of coffee after another during late night study sessions and two more before she leaves for school. She might need the extra boost sometimes, but you’re getting worried that addiction may be starting to kick into her system, so you decide to take action.
Caffeine is a drug that can cause addiction if consumed in above average quantities. As adults you may be taking it at most twice in your coffee but your teenage child may be mesmerized by the alerting effects, as well as the feeling that she is becoming mature by being allowed to take it. You must take responsibility to help your child quit caffeine. Here’s how.
1. Goals.
Your child may not realize it early on but begin by helping her set goals for transition to rid of the addiction. You may want to ask her how many cups of coffee she’s taking daily and setting the goal by reducing two cups a day then gradually taking one more cup off per week. The goals must be realistic and attainable for your teenager and give her time to create her own personal preferences. Let her write down and enumerate these goals.
2. Expectations.
Discuss with your child what to expect while she’s quitting caffeine. Tell her that although she may feel more vibrant and alert while taking more coffee, the fact is her system sooner or later will begin to deteriorate because of the adverse effects.
Give her your expectations as a caring parent that you wish her to do well in her studies, her social life and her family relationships and that she can succeed without the need for caffeine. Also stress the withdrawal phase as your teenager may experience unpleasant sensations which may encourage her to stop quitting but remind her that all these are part of her recovery.
3. Consequences.
Your teenager, at one point, may debate that the advantages of caffeine weigh more than the expected consequences. Simply tell her that she is actually taking a drug and that by consuming large amounts of it, she doesn’t even realize that she’s becoming addicted and that she won’t be experiencing adverse effects until later. Give her some risks and diseases associated with high caffeine consumption like anxiety, insomnia, weight gain or loss, dependence, loss of focus and tooth discoloration.
4. Guide.
Your role as a parent is to monitor your child throughout the transition, to make sure that she stays on track to successfully quit the habit. Teenagers are prone to peer pressure so she may be tempted to take caffeine again during times when you’re not around.
Provide opportunities for your child to prevent her from wanting to take caffeine like taking her to the ice cream parlor instead of a café or giving her gum or juice when she tells you she wants to drink a cup of coffee. Stick little thoughtful signs on places around the house like the fridge or her closet door which can help her stay motivated to quit completely.
Remember to maintain open and honest communication with your teenager at all times. Let her know that you understand her condition and that she should approach you if she wants to discuss anything or ask for help.
Author: Julieta Chin. All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment