 | Liz ThreehouseIdea Girl Company |
Summer is here and there’s lots of fun to be had, but don’t let something tragic ruin your summer. Talk to your teen about the dangers of underage drinking…with graduation and other summer parties it’s time to be vigilant about keeping your teen safe.
Here are some guidelines for parents to prevent teen alcohol use:
1. Set clear and strict rules about drinking and the consequences of breaking them.
A study of over 1000 teens found that teens with “hands on” parents who establish clear behavior expectations, monitor their teens comings and goings, and aren’t afraid to say no are four times less likely to engage in risky behaviors like drinking and driving.
2. Equip teens to handle peer pressure
Some teenage drinking is due to pressure from friends. Sit down with your teens and talk about scenarios they might encounter that involve alcohol. Discuss what they would do if they were offered a beer at a party and how to turn down a ride from a friend who has been drinking.
3. Set a good example for responsible adult alcohol use in your home.
Practice what you preach. Don’t drink excessively and discourage drunkenness by adult guests. Refrain from implying that alcohol is a good way to solve problems- avoid making comments like “It’s been a tough day- I need a drink.”
4. Get to know their friends and make an alliance with their parents.
Help your kids build friendships with other teens who do not drink. Communicate with your teen’s friends and their parents as well. If you notice your teen hanging out with a friend that is known to use alcohol, limit their time together by making strict rules on how afterschool time is spent and how late he or she can stay out at night.
5. Encourage kids to call you if the need arises
Remind them that they can always call you for a ride if they end up in a situation in which alcohol is being served to teens.
Sources:
(1) Preventing impaired driving in your teen, Stanford Children’s health ,stanfordchildrens.org
(2) 7 Ways to stop teens from drinking and driving for real, today.com
Here are some guidelines for parents to prevent teen alcohol use:
1. Set clear and strict rules about drinking and the consequences of breaking them.
A study of over 1000 teens found that teens with “hands on” parents who establish clear behavior expectations, monitor their teens comings and goings, and aren’t afraid to say no are four times less likely to engage in risky behaviors like drinking and driving.
2. Equip teens to handle peer pressure
Some teenage drinking is due to pressure from friends. Sit down with your teens and talk about scenarios they might encounter that involve alcohol. Discuss what they would do if they were offered a beer at a party and how to turn down a ride from a friend who has been drinking.
3. Set a good example for responsible adult alcohol use in your home.
Practice what you preach. Don’t drink excessively and discourage drunkenness by adult guests. Refrain from implying that alcohol is a good way to solve problems- avoid making comments like “It’s been a tough day- I need a drink.”
4. Get to know their friends and make an alliance with their parents.
Help your kids build friendships with other teens who do not drink. Communicate with your teen’s friends and their parents as well. If you notice your teen hanging out with a friend that is known to use alcohol, limit their time together by making strict rules on how afterschool time is spent and how late he or she can stay out at night.
5. Encourage kids to call you if the need arises
Remind them that they can always call you for a ride if they end up in a situation in which alcohol is being served to teens.
Sources:
(1) Preventing impaired driving in your teen, Stanford Children’s health ,stanfordchildrens.org
(2) 7 Ways to stop teens from drinking and driving for real, today.com
RSS Feed