According to Reddit, What Should You Put in a Box Labeled “Ask No Questions” for Your Child
Even if you think of yourself as a parent with whom your child can talk about anything, there are probably some things they would rather keep to themselves, whether they are problems with embarrassing bodily functions or not disclosing the types of drugs they like. …
This Reddit post on r / parenting board by u /hilaryflammond offers a great suggestion for parents of older children or teens: create a No Questions box for your child and fill it with accessories they might be shy to ask for. You can even open it to their friends (if you don’t mind supplying condoms to residents).
The specifics are of course up to you, but below are some suggestions.
Sex
- Condoms
- Dental pads
- Contraceptive foam
- Emergency contraception, also known as Plan B (shelf life approximately four years).
- Pregnancy tests
- Grease
Health and hygiene
- Information card with phone numbers for psychiatric services, drug addiction counseling, etc.
- Laxatives
- Cushions for imodium and tuxedo
- Monistat / Yeast Infection Remedy
- Tampons and pads (This shouldn’t be branded or secret, but it can be helpful for your child’s friends who might be grateful for not asking.)
- Diapers for adults
- Toothbrush (for guests)
- Deodorant (same)
Booze and drugs
- Fentanyl test strips (this is difficult because it tells your child that you think he is taking serious drugs, which is potentially offensive. And if you think your child is taking serious drugs, you should do more than just leave test strips in a drawer for them – but then again, you can provide something for someone they know, not just them.)
- Narcan, along with a note that reads “Call 911 immediately” (see note above).
- Taxi voucher / LYFT or Uber gift certificate (for drunk driving home)
- Hangover Remedies (This has been suggested by several Reddit editors, so I am including it, but I will personally omit it. Hangover symptoms are not harmful and I want my child to completely suffer the negative effects of excessive drug use). I would deal with a teenager suffering from a hangover, like the parents of one of my friends did: I woke them up early and made them rearrange the furniture.)
miscellanea
- Stain remover
- Febreze or other deodorant
- Their cool aunt’s phone
- BTS CD (in case my heavy metal son is shy about asking for an emergency K-POP)
- Chocolate or other sweets
- Coloring book and crayons
- A copy of the book ” Good Night Moon” or another cherished children’s book.
- Free hug coupon
“No question” or “no judgment”
If you’re going to label a box “no questions asked,” you really don’t have to ask any questions — make a box like this and then say, “So I noticed you used a condom last night …” is a definite parenting failure. On the other hand, I know that if my child was using Narcan regularly, I would have serious questions. So you can change the philosophy of the box a little and instead call it a “no-judgment box” and explain that you won’t get angry if your child uses something in it, but that you might have to talk to them about their safety.
If you have any other suggestions for the box, leave them in the comments.