Talking About Alcohol: A Parent’s Checklist

There are a bunch of things that you need to say when talking to your kids about alcohol. You need to tell them everything from what it is to how to avoid it. You also need to ask them certain questions about alcohol use. They will have questions about it and so below are some questions they will probably have. Make sure that you know the answer to them. Use this checklist when you are talking to your kids about alcohol.

-What is alcohol?
-What is the legal age to drink?
-Is it ok to drink?
-Why is alcohol portrayed as cool?
-What is really true about alcohol?
-Can alcohol hurt?
-Why is it used in cooking? Isn’t that the same as drinking it?
-Can you drive and drink at the same time?
-Does alcohol hurt you if you only drink a little?
-What does alcohol do to you?
-Why do people like alcohol?
-What is defined as alcohol?
-What do you think about alcohol?
-What is true about the ads on television?
-Why does it look so cool?
-What are your standards for alcohol?
-What should I expect from you about the use of alcohol?
-Am I allowed to drink alcohol?
-What if I have questions about alcohol?
-Who should I talk to if someone I know is drinking?
-How do I say no to alcohol?
-What if I am really pressured to drink?

Here are some responses to your child’s concerns:

-Encourage choices. Tell your child that he is great at making choices and that they can be confident in themselves.
-Let them know alcohol is not for children or people under 21.
-Alcohol is different for everyone. Someone might be able to drink a ton while another person may be only able to drink a little bit.
-You can die from too much alcohol.
-You can have serious liver problems from alcohol.
-If you ever see someone drinking and they are underage you should tell your parents so they can get help for the child. It’s not ratting out a friend but it’s helping them.
-You can get addicted to it very easily.
-You can talk to me about alcohol.
-I am always here if you have questions about alcohol or if you are feeling pressured.
-Role play how to say no in a fun way that will really encourage and help your child.
-We are telling you this because we love you and don’t want you to get hurt.
-Tell your child you love them tons of times. You can never say it enough.
-Tell your child that you are proud of them.
-Tell your child exactly how you feel about alcohol and what you expect from them.
-Build your child’s self esteem.

When you are talking to your child, make sure that you both stay calm. Only talk to one child about it at a time, don’t double dip just because you have twins. This is something that needs to be addressed on a one child at a time basis. They need to know that they are important to you and that it is important that they understand what you are telling them.