Kids
who drink are more likely to be victims of violent crime, to be involved in
alcohol-related traffic crashes, and to have serious school-related problems. You have more influence on your child’s
values and decisions about drinking before they begin to use alcohol. Parents can have a major impact on their
children’s drinking, especially during the preteen and early teen years.
If
you keep alcohol in your home, keep track of it. Make sure your child knows
that they are not allowed to have unchaperoned parties/gatherings at home, but
encourage them to have friends over when you are home! The more entertaining your child does in your
home, the more you will know about your child’s friends and activities.
Getting
to know other parents and guardians can help you keep closer tabs on your
child. This will make it is easier for
you to call another parent who is having a party to be sure that a responsible
adult will be present and that alcohol will not be available. Be aware of your teen’s plans and whereabouts
and make sure they know it is because you care about them not because you do
not trust them.
When
parents establish clear “no alcohol” rules, their children are less likely to
begin drinking. Some possible family
rules are:
Ø Kids will not drink
alcohol until they are 21
Ø Older siblings will
not encourage younger ones to drink and will not give them alcohol.
Ø Kids will not stay at
teen parties where alcohol is served
Ø Kids will not ride in
a car with a driver who has been drinking
Once
the rules are clear, appropriate consequences will need to be put in place and
used. Make sure the rules are ones you
will enforce and that do not keep your child from communicating with you. A possible consequence might be temporary
restrictions on your child’s socializing.
Parents
and guardians are important role models for children. Even if you use alcohol, there may be ways to
lessen the likelihood that your child will drink:
Ø Use alcohol
moderately
Ø Don’t communicate to
your child that alcohol is a good way to handle problems
Ø Let your child see
that you have other, healthier ways to cope with stress
Ø Don’t tell kids
stories about your own drinking in a way that says alcohol use is funny or
glamorous
Ø Never drink and drive
or ride in a car with a driver who has been drinking
Ø When you entertain
other adults make available alcohol free beverages and plenty of food. If anyone drinks too much at your party, make
arrangements for them to get home safely.
Your
attitudes and behavior toward teen drinking also influence your child. Avoid jokes about underage drinking. Never serve alcohol to underage
drinkers. Remember it is illegal to
provide alcohol to minors who are not your children.
If
your child’s friends use alcohol, your child is more likely to drink too. So, encourage your child to develop
friendships with kids who do not drink and are healthy influences on your
child. Get to know your child’s friends
and encourage your child to invite them to family get-togethers, outings and
spend time with them in other ways. Finally
talk with your child about the qualities in a friend that really count, such as
trustworthiness and kindness, rather than popularity or a cool style. When you disapprove of a friend it is best to
point out your reservations in a caring, supportive way and limiting time with
the friend with family rules, such as how after school time can be spent or how
late your child can stay out in the evening.
One
reason kids drink is to beat boredom.
So, encourage your child to participate in supervised activities that
are challenging and fun. According to a
recent survey of preteens the availability of enjoyable alcohol-free
activities is a big reason for deciding not to use alcohol. If the community does not offer these types
of activities, consider getting together with other parents and young teens to
help create some.
A
way for you to discourage alcohol use by teens in your family and in Van Buren
County is to join the Van Buren County SAFE Coalition. By working with the coalition, which has
members from the school and other areas of the community, you can help to
develop policies to reduce alcohol availability to teens. For more information contact the SAFE
Coalition at 319-293-3334 ext. 1017 or info@vbsafecoalition.com
or visit us on the web at www.vbsafecoalition.com.
