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www.FredericksburgParent.NET 17 Sponsored Material Ask the Expert a sk t h e e x p e rt At this age, she said, parents and educators can help children understand how the brain and body work together, how to name and tame big feelings, and the impor- tance of making choices that will keep the body healthy. As children start to get older, talking more specifically about the dangers of using things like cigarettes, vaping devices, alcohol and other substances prepares them to make better choices. "Doing that preventative work before your child gets to middle school or high school and are exposed to those things when you are not with them is very important," Bateman said. "Talk about why people would use those substances." Often, substance misuse is tied to mental health. "Usually, it's stress and those overwhelming feelings that kids have, and they want this discomfort to go away. They want to be 'normal' like their friends," she said. "But these big feelings are what's normal for a teenager." The key is seeking better ways to manage the discomfort those feelings cause, such as talking to a mental healthcare provider, exercising or enjoying a hobby, spending time with close friends who encourage healthy choices or talking with a trusted adult. More than anything, adults can help their children make healthy choices by laying a foundation of open and honest communication, Bateman said. This means listening more than lecturing when your teen talks to you about behaviors they are seeing among peers. It also means educating yourself about what your child is likely to see. "This is not a one-time 60-minute lecture," Eustice said. "It's a lot of small conversations." She encourages open-ended questions such as, "What do you think about vapes?" or "What have you heard about vaping?" "Find out what they are seeing," Eustice said. And remember: The No. 1 protective factor for young people against addiction is hav- ing a caring adult they can speak with openly about their feelings and the behaviors they are seeing around them. To learn more, and to stay informed about community trainings that can help you stay on top of what teens and adolescents are encountering, visit rappahannockareacsb.org. WHAT TO LOOK FOR While the act of vaping can be easy to hide, the signs of a vaping habit or nicotine addic- tion are something parents can learn to look for. Bateman and Eustice encourage parents to talk to their children if they spot the fol- lowing: • A change in behaviors. Bigger reactions to small things like being asked to perform a household chore. • Sneaking off frequently to use the bathroom or for unexplained reasons. • Increased irritability and mood swings. • A change in sleeping patterns, or insomnia. • Extra chargers lying around the house, especially if you never see the devices they charge. A child suddenly purchasing batteries regularly. • An unexplained increase in the amount of money a child is spending. • An abnormal quantity of devices that look like USB drives in the child's room or bag. • An overwhelming fruity scent on the child or in the child's room. KNOW ABOUT NICOTINE Nicotine is highly addictive, and just 5 milli- grams a day is enough to start an addiction, according to the U.S. Surgeon General. A popular brand of oral nicotine pouches can have as much as 6 milligrams of nicotine per pouch. One JUUL pod contains approxi- mately 40 milligrams of nicotine. Nicotine can be harmful to young brains, which are still developing and maturing until the mid-to-late 20s, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Its use during adolescence can affect the formation of brain circuits, which can lead to attention deficit disorders and learning disabilities, among other issues, according to The Truth Initiative. A 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey found that 10% of middle and high school students were currently using a tobacco product.