With so many other drugs and pressures swarming around our youth, parents often make the mistake of neglecting the topic of underage drinking when talking to their kids – and boy is it a topic that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Kids are now known to start experimenting with alcohol before even reaching their teenage years, so it is important to be proactive in talking to your kids about the dangers of underage drinking and the long-term effects that alcohol can have on our youth.
Start Early
When it comes to talking to your kids about underage drinking, it is important to beat the peer pressure to the punch.
» The pressures of experimenting with alcohol and other drugs is happening at a much younger age nowadays. Approximately 10% of kids admit to using alcohol by the age of 12, and that number doubles by the age of 13.Kids these days, right?
» Though teenagers don’t always act like it, they do look to their parents and other adults for guidance, and though it may not seem like it at times, when you talk, they listen.
» Start talking to your kids about the dangers of underage drinking at young age so that they will be prepared for the inevitable pressures that they will encounter.
Saying Nothing Can Be Saying A Lot
Conversations with your teenager about topics such as underage drinking can surely be challenging, but that is no excuse to put it off. Saying nothing to your child about underage drinking can prove to be far more dangerous than saying the wrong thing.
» Some parents mistakenly believe that their child isn’t susceptible to giving in to the pressures of underage drinking – wrong!
» Parents often think that they know their child, they know who their child is hanging out with, or they think that their child tells them everything, therefore they know that their child isn’t experimenting with alcohol, so why bring it up? No one’s child is above being subjected to the peer pressures of underage drinking – prepare your child for the worst, even if their behavior is the best.
» By saying nothing, you can be saying “drinking isn’t as big of a deal as other drugs that I’ve warned you about.” This is a dangerous message.
Use the Organic Approach
Speaking of how difficult these conversations with our kids can be – what’s the best way to bring it up? When possible, it can be best to bring these topics up in a casual environment such as during dinner or on a road trip.
» When you let the conversation happen in an organic way, the relaxed environment will allow your child to feel more comfortable opening up.
» For example, you could bring up something that happened in the news involving underage drinking, and then say, “That’s scary. Are there any kids at your school getting involved with alcohol already?”
Avoid the Scare Tactic
It can be difficult to keep a good balance between creating an open and casual environment for your child to open up, setting clear boundaries and expectations for them, and showing them who is boss. The one thing that you don’t want to do is try and scare your child into avoiding alcohol.
» This tactic can cause your child to rebel against you as well as scare them away from coming to you for help in dangerous situations involving alcohol.
» Teenagers make mistakes and they can get themselves into some dangerous situations – it is important for your child to know that they can come to you for help and talk to you about what they are experiencing. Don’t scare them away.
» Set limitations and expectations for your child in regards to underage drinking, but let them know you are there to support them when bad situations arise.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
If you are going to drink openly in front of your kids, do it responsibly. Your children will learn more from your own actions than from what you say to them. Be a good role model and don’t let them learn bad drinking habits in their own home.
The mission of the Walton County Prevention Coalition is to help to prevent substance abuse in our youth by developing an anti-drug coalition. Underage drinking is just one of the many pressures facing our youth and it isn’t one to be taken lightly. Start talking to your kids today about the dangers of underage drinking and the negative effects that alcohol abuse can have on their future.