Reefer Madness or Just Blunt Honesty?

By Linda Sharp ~ Don't Get Me Started

OK, here's one I'd like to throw out to you.

I'm all for talking with our kids.  I have always enjoyed, and continue to nurture, a very open dialogue with my girls about everything.  They know that if they are brave enough to ask a question, I will be brave enough to answer.

It can be about sex, drugs, politics, boys, the world, you name it.

I know many parents are not like that.  They figure if they actively discuss something, then their child will be drawn to it. 

I don't agree.

Answers are powerful.  Answers empower them to make informed decisions.  Answers are far less scary, and far more accurate than anything they make up in their own minds or hear on the playground.

So here's my question...

There is a book out there - a children's book - about marijuana.  Called It's Just A Plant, by Ricardo Tores, it follows a little girl from opening her parents' door after bedtime and discovering them mid-puff, to how her parents handle her questions.

It is obviously geared towards the Sesame Street - Dora demographic.  So, I'm curious.  Take a look - you can actually read through the entire thing (it won't take long), and then chime in about whether you would be willing to share this with your young one, or if you feel it takes picture books to whole 'nother level they should never visit.  (Personally, I still prefer the one on one approach.)

It's Just A Plant

And 'fess up - who has enjoyed the company of Mary Jane?  (No judging here.) And who has been honest about that fact with your kids?

I'll start - YES, and YES.  I was 15, and the girls all know I tried it, didn't "get" it, and never tried it again.  I wasn't exactly a threat to the Cheech and Chong dynasty...

OK, here's one I'd like to throw out to you.

I'm all for talking with our kids.  I have always enjoyed, and continue to nurture, a very open dialogue with my girls about everything.  They know that if they are brave enough to ask a question, I will be brave enough to answer.

It can be about sex, drugs, politics, boys, the world, you name it.

I know many parents are not like that.  They figure if they actively discuss something, then their child will be drawn to it. 

I don't agree.

Answers are powerful.  Answers empower them to make informed decisions.  Answers are far less scary, and far more accurate than anything they make up in their own minds or hear on the playground.

So here's my question...

There is a book out there - a children's book - about marijuana.  Called It's Just A Plant, by Ricardo Tores, it follows a little girl from opening her parents' door after bedtime and discovering them mid-puff, to how her parents handle her questions.

It is obviously geared towards the Sesame Street - Dora demographic.  So, I'm curious.  Take a look - you can actually read through the entire thing (it won't take long), and then chime in about whether you would be willing to share this with your young one, or if you feel it takes picture books to whole 'nother level they should never visit.  (Personally, I still prefer the one on one approach.)

It's Just A Plant

And 'fess up - who has enjoyed the company of Mary Jane?  (No judging here.) And who has been honest about that fact with your kids?

I'll start - YES, and YES.  I was 15, and the girls all know I tried it, didn't "get" it, and never tried it again.  I wasn't exactly a threat to the Cheech and Chong dynasty...

Comments

[Veronica]

I don't think so. My girls know I did some stupid things as a kid, but I would never be so blatant about it as the parent. It reminds me of the Roseanne episode when Roseanne and Dan smoked the weed and realized adults can't do dumb teenage things.

And where did the mom find a farmer who'd show off a pot plant? Do they live in California?