Topic - Alcohol and Kids. People who identify themselves as alcoholics report they began drinking in their early teen years; they tapped their parents’ alcohol supply.
Nearly 20% of 14 year olds say they’ve been drunk at least once.
Early onset drinking is the first sign of other problems to come such as criminal activity, substance abuse and employment problems.
Talk with your children when everyone is relaxed. Make clear your zero tolerance policy for underage drinking. There’s no substitute for knowing your child and monitoring their activities.
Explain that they are vulnerable to alcohol abuse if there is a family history. Give them scientific facts, be prepared and unemotional.
Start when they are young and talk to them frequently, especially when they go out with friends on their own. Experience develops judgment.
They will make mistakes. Use these as teaching tools and avoid harshness.
