Talking About Healthy Living

Don’t wait to talk to your kids about healthy living, such as the importance of exercise and nutrition, as well as the dangers of drugs and alcohol. It’s especially important for kids with CF to be informed, because exercise and nutrition may play a vital role in managing CF. Similarly, drugs and alcohol may be especially harmful. For example, smoking or being around smoke may cause additional lung damage, and alcohol may interact with medications. If you start the conversation before they’re in a risky situation, they may be able to handle it better.

Here are a few suggestions that may help you speak with your child:

• Talk to your children about what medications they are taking and why they are important

• Point out characters on TV or in ads engaging in risky behavior, like smoking, and use that opportunity to talk about the dangers

• Be specific about the effects drugs can have on people. Talk about how they make people feel, the dangers of overdosing and long-term damage

• Start the conversation by asking questions about they feel about drugs and alcohol

• Use news events, like steroid use by athletes, to talk about drugs with your child

• Show that you’re willing to listen and talk – that will make your child more likely to seek out your advice in the future

• Talk to your kids about the extra dangers of driving while under the influence, including legal and safety risks

• Offer to pick up your child any time of night – no questions asked – if the person responsible for driving has been drinking

You should talk to your CF Care Team for other suggestions and advice on healthy living.