As parents, we may face numerous challenges when it comes to guiding our children through life’s milestones. Discussing alcohol use can be one of the most daunting. Oftentimes we aren’t completely comfortable with how to guide our children to develop responsible attitudes about alcohol use and make good choices.
Here are some tips to remember:
Understanding the importance early on: Like it or not, alcohol is prevalent in society, and chances are your child will encounter it at some point. Social media has become a powerful way to portray glamourous images of alcohol use. By initiating discussions early on, you can help your children gain knowledge and critical thinking skills to make informed decisions in the future.
Creating a Safe Space: A conversation must be approached with empathy and openness, ensuring your child feels comfortable expressing their thoughts and asking questions. Emphasize that you are not there to provide judgment, rather offer important information. Patience is key!
Setting Clear Expectations: Establishing clear rules and expectations regarding alcohol use within your family is critical. Communicate to your child why you have these guidelines and that they align with your family values and promote safety and respect for others.
Modeling Responsible Behavior: What you do matters! Demonstrating healthy and responsible attitudes and behaviors towards alcohol will impact how your children learn. Avoid glamorizing excessive drinking and model healthy coping mechanisms.
Addressing Peer Influence: Discuss the influence of peer pressure and ways to navigate social situations where alcohol is present. Equip your child with assertiveness skills to decline alcohol. Help them come up with alternate plans if they ever feel pressured.
Educating on Risks: Provide information about the risks associated with alcohol consumption, including how it effects their developing brain, overall health
All Blogs are written by Professionals in the fields of Nutrition, Human Development and Diabetes.