If you don’t think underage drinking is a huge problem in our society, you really should take a closer look at what our teens are doing with their free time. We talk to our kids about sex. We talk to our kids about drugs. We talk to our kids about bullying. But, how many of us have sat down with our kids to discuss the dangers of underage drinking? Since April is Alcohol Awareness month, let’s take this opportunity to start talking about it.
I was blessed to be involved in a webinar last week with The Century Council and Dr. Anthony Wolf about the problem we have with underage drinking. The entire conversation had me wondering if I’ve done enough as a parent to educate my own children. As parents, David and I have shared our feelings about the issue with our kids and every time one of us has a glass of wine or a margarita at a restaurant, we explain the reasons why they aren’t allowed to have the same. We hope it’s sinking in, but we also are very aware that peer pressure as they get older will be a tough nut to crack.
I cringe when I hear about a teen who has been drinking. Despite the obvious dangers they could be causing to their own bodies, my mind immediately jumps to them getting behind the wheel of a car and possibly causing harm to other families. This isn’t just something of concern to me… it’s very personal.
My family has experienced the horror of underage drinking firsthand. My Aunt & Uncle were killed by a teenage driver who had been drinking. The details are inconsequential. The point is a teenager who had been drinking, got behind the wheel of a car and crashed that car into another, killing two people. The scary part is that this happened 40 years ago. And 40 years later we are STILL having this conversation about the dangers of alcohol.
There is a reason the drinking age in this country is 21. Not that at the age of 21 a person is completely responsible enough to drink, but we know that a person younger than that definitely isn’t prepared to take responsibility for their actions. Drinking as a kid/teen can cause so many other problems like:
- Alcoholism
- DUI
- Pregnancy and STD’s
- Violence and Crime
If alcoholism is in your family, your child has a much greater chance of developing the disease as well. Even just one drink with their friends can lead to behavior that in out of character. If the dangers are so great… why even start? Underage drinking MUST be one of those topics you discuss with your kids early and often. It’s not that hard to do… really.
- Ask them their thoughts on drinking alcohol.
- Tell them your own feelings on the subject.
- Talk about peer pressure and that it’s okay to say no to your friends.
- Drinking alcohol inside the safety of your own home is STILL a crime if you are under 21.
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol can kill other people.
- Drinking can cause alcohol poisoning and kill you.
We all know that no matter how prepared we think our kids are, mistakes happen. If there is one piece of advice I would give to every parent it would be to have a “no questions asked” policy. Let your kids know that if they are in trouble in ANY WAY, whether it be from drinking or drugs or sex, they can call you and you’ll come get them NO QUESTIONS ASKED. Let them know they will be safe with you. And please… let your kid’s friends know the same. Be the kind of parent or relative or friend who will be their “go to” person if they need help. Please don’t EVER let someone who has been drinking get behind the wheel. It’s so not worth it.
Please join me and The Motherhood on Twitter
Wednesday, April 17th at 1pm ET.
Use the hashtag #TalkEarly and let’s share ways we can curb the problem of underage drinking.
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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