Here’s how a conversation might go with your son or daughter
Chris, I’d really like to let you know how I feel about young people and alcohol. I know there is drinking at a lot of parties and I want you to understand that I don’t approve. I also want you to know why.
“But, Dad, everyone does it…”
Even if everyone is drinking, I don’t want you to do it. You are an individual who makes your own decisions. You choose not to do other things your friends do.
“But YOU drink. What’s the big deal?”
It really is different for adults to have a glass of wine or beer versus teenagers drinking. For one thing, it’s not legal for people under 21 to drink. Think about the kids your age who drink. Besides risking losing their drivers license, they could harm others because their judgment and decision making is affected. Some people get violent, others engage in sexual activity, some move to other drugs. You don’t want any of those consequences for your friends and we don’t want them to happen to you.
“So what should I do if I’m at a party where there is drinking?”
Well, we want you to leave. Invite your friends to our house. We’ll rent movies, have pizza, and you and your friends won’t risk violating school policies (getting kicked off the team, out of drama or music clubs, etc.).
“Didn’t you drink when you were in high school, Mom?”
I don’t want you to make the same mistakes I did. We know a lot more about brain research and other affects of alcohol on young people. If someone had told me what we’re telling you when I was younger, I would have been a lot smarter!
Or
I really didn’t drink as a teenager because I didn’t want to
- take the chance of messing up my future
- disappoint my parents or grandparents
- risk inheriting the tendency to become an alcoholic since we have alcoholism in our family
- or whatever is accurate
