| Dear Sample,
When anyone develops an unhealthy dependence on a substance, activity, person, or anything else, the underlying issues are usually not resolved merely by removing access to the target of their addiction. It’s wise to remember this when it appears that our kids may be getting pulled into excessive use and dependence upon their digital devices.
Even though limiting access is essential, doing so doesn’t solve the underlying problem. Imagine this very simple experiment:
- Find an empty bottle. The space inside represents a void (or vacuum) present in a person’s life. This doesn’t mean that the person is hopeless. It means that they need someone to help them fill these voids with healthy habits, skills, and relationships.
- Hold the bottle in a sink completely under dirty dishwater. The nasty water represents the subject of a person’s addiction. Because there is a void inside of the person, the water rushes in, completely filling the person. “Nature abhors a vacuum.” Look up what this means.
- Take the bottle out of the water and pour out the contents. Rinse it out with fresh water. This represents what happens when we remove access to what the person is addicted to, and they appear to be clean.
- Once again, hold the bottle completely under the dirty dishwater. Because there’s still a void, the contaminated water rushes in immediately. The bottle is in the same condition it was before it was first emptied and rinsed.
If we don’t help others fill the voids inside them with heathy habits, coping skills, and positive relationships, they will always be at risk of filling themselves with unhealthy things.
One of our primary jobs as parents is to help our children become so full of healthy habits, coping skills, and positive relationships that there is no room for the negative. Although this is undoubtedly easier said than done, demonstrating love while empowering our kids to own and solve their own problems is a huge step.
Join me and Dr. Daniel G. Amen on June 1 for our next FREE Online Event, Helping Kids Develop and Maintain Healthy Bodies for Stronger Minds. Register today and learn how to support your child’s physical and mental development!
Thanks for reading!
If this is a benefit, forward it to a friend. Our goal is to help as many families as possible.
Dr. Charles Fay |
