Discussing Underage Drinking
This post is sponsored by Anheuser-Busch.
The topic of underage drinking needs to be an ongoing conversation with in your family. As parents, our challenge is to send a consistent message to our children -- and it can start now.
While every family and child is different, and there are many ways to help prevent underage drinking, the main foundation is good, strong communication. Here are some tips to help you start the conversation with your kids:
Be the influence: When they're young, it’s easy to see the influence you have on your children. They repeat the things you say, copy your mannerisms, and want to be just like you. But as they get older, and as outside influences such as peers appear to be stronger, research shows that parents are still the No. 1 influence in their kid’s decision on whether or not to drink alcohol.*
Listen with an open mind: True listening means listening without judgment or criticism and responding to ideas, fears, and opinions expressed by your kids. Focus on what they’re saying, and respond to their thoughts and feelings with an open mind, showing them respect, which helps build trust and lays the foundation for future communication.
Recognize opportunities: Children of all ages can benefit from on-going discussions about underage drinking. Many opportunities occur naturally, such as right after a school assembly about underage drinking or a story on the news involving teen drinking. In these moments, your influence can make the difference.
Have you talked to your kids about underage drinking?
*GfK Roper Youth Report
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Elise48
I plan to talk to my son about responsible drinking when he's older, but I have no intentions of trying to *prevent* underage drinking. I fully intend to let him drink when he is mature enough to handle it. Personally I feel that the ridiculous laws dicatating the drinking age should be struck down. The best way to prevent underage drinking is to remove the age limit thus doing away with the concept alltogether.
Pinkmani
The drinking age is at 21 because that's the age that doctors and scientists have said that the brain is fully matured. I doubt it will ever go lower because of that.
The issue I have with underaged drinking is that when parents don't condone it and the children do drink often times they get into trouble. Maybe one night someone drinks too much and passes out, the kids are way too afraid to call an ambulance. Or they may be too intoxicated to drive home.
fleurdelys3110
Even though doctors and scientists say drinking shouldn't start until 21 due to ongoing brain development, I don't think this is a good enough reason. We don't see the entire population of Europe mentally handicapped, and they start drinking little by little from childhood! The drinking age is a prude, American concept. In fact, the drinking age was not raised from 18 to 21 in the first place due to the brain development discoveries. It was raised by the individual states because Ronald Reagan would only provide federal funding for state highways if the states raised the drinking age. So, unsurprisingly, the drinking age was originally raised for political reasons, not medical ones.
amazzonia
amazzonia
goddess99
My dd is 10 so we haven't talked much about it yet.
lalasmama2007
Madelaine
good article!
Bmat
My sons seem to understand about the problems of drinking.
dusky_rose
I haven't had this opportunity yet. With my older kids I have, but my youngest is only 5.