You are the parent of a child aged between 6 and 12.
You drink alcohol or use drugs.
You are worried about the impact of your substance use on your parental practices.
You are worried about the impact of your substance use on your child’s development.
The following information can help you.
Information on the Cap sur la famille program
Substance addiction puts considerable strain on parents’ ability to provide their children with the care required for their development. However, certain parental practices can help reduce the impacts of addiction on children.
What are these parental practices ?
- Knowing how to identify your emotions and those of your child
- Practicing clear and positive communication
- Being consistent in your educational practices: establishing a routine
- Positive reinforcement of your child’s "good behaviours"
- Effective problem-solving
The Cap sur la famille program aims to (1) reduce the impacts of addiction on your family and (2) improve your parental practices so you can better manage your children’s behaviours.
Parents with an addiction who have participated in this type of program:
- report having acquired knowledge about good parental practices
- have a better ability for handling problematic situations at home
- set and maintain rules more easily at home
- use substances less
Families where children have been removed from their home due to a parent’s substance use and who participate in this type of program are more likely to be reunited.
The Cap sur la famille program can help you.
I would like to sign up for the program
To find out more about the Cap sur la famille program or to sign up, consult the section Where is it offered ? and contact the organization of your area that offers it.
I would like to help my child express their emotions
It is not always easy to find the right words to express how we feel. Here is a series of emotion flashcards that will help you talk about emotions with your child.
Reminder sheet : Emotions
I would like for my child to show more good behaviours
Reinforcement is a very effective technique for promoting the emergence of new behaviours in your child. Here are the steps to follow to reinforce your child’s behaviours.
Reminder sheet : Reinforcement
I would like to be able to better solve conflicts in my family
These problem-solving steps will come in handy both at home and in your personal life.
Reminder sheet : Problem-solving
I would like to improve communication within my family
The following simple rules will help you deliver messages more easily to your children and listen more attentively to what they have to say to you.
Test your communication skills and find solutions! Communication questionnaire
Reminder sheet : Communication
I would like to improve my family’s routines
A clear and consistent routine can help foster your child’s independence. Here are some tools that will help you set routines with your child.
Reminder sheet : Routines
I would like to get help
This directory of community and personal resources will allow you to contact people you trust towards whom you can turn in times of need. Take the time to fill it out and don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it.
Reminder sheet : Resources directory for parents
Other documentation
Hyperlink towards website ideas
- Addiction Suisse : http://www.parentsetaddiction.ch/
- Naître et grandir : https://naitreetgrandir.com/
- Agirtôt : https://agirtot.org/priorite-enfants-de-lotbiniere/outils-pour-la-routine/
- Ligne Parents : https://www.ligneparents.com/
Hyperlinks towards ideas for further reading
I would love to hear what other families with similar challenges have to say
