Studies show that despite peer pressure and social influences, parents have an enormous influence on their children’s behavior. Therefore, preventing kids from drinking starts at home.

The key to prevention at home is to act now. Whether your child has dealt with the issue of drinking or not, it is never too early or too late to talk to him or her about the effects and importance of responsible behavior regarding alcohol.

The following are suggestions in approaching your children about alcohol. But first and foremost, trust your instincts. Choose ideas that make you comfortable and use your own style as you talk with you child.

• Lead by example: There are certain lessons you can teach your child through your actions. For example:
  • Only use alcohol moderately and do not encourage alcohol as a way to solve problems.
  • Refrain from conveying the idea that alcohol is fun or glamorous through stories about your own or others’ drinking.
  • Never drink and drive or ride in a car with someone who has been drinking.
  • Most importantly, don’t support teen drinking, supply alcohol to teens or show acceptance of teen alcohol use.
• Prepare before “the talk”: To improve chances of a productive conversation, think through the issue you want to talk about. Think about what you want to say, possible questions your child might ask and what your response would be. Also remember that you don’t need to cover everything in one sitting. Once you have the lines of communication open, you can come back to this subject periodically and answer new questions your child might have.
• It’s a conversation, not a lecture: Encourage conversation. Encourage your child to talk freely and comfortably about whatever interests or questions they might have. Listen without interruption and give them a chance to explain their views. By asking open-ended questions and controlling your emotions, the conversation has a better chance of continuing.
• Set clear-cut rules: Developing clear-cut family rules about drinking helps children understand what is expected and what the consequences are. Examples of rules would be:
  • Kids will not drink alcohol until they are 21 years of age.
  • Older siblings will not encourage younger siblings to drink alcohol and will not give them alcohol.
  • Kids will not ride in cars with a driver that has been drinking.
• Talk about the Internet: It’s the talk rarely had. The emergence of the Internet has given kids a new avenue for information that is neither regulated nor censored. This means parents have to take an active role in their children’s Internet experience, explaining its positive and negative uses. Reinforce that you want to trust your child, but remind them that certain purchases or activities are illegal. Let them know that if they break the rules, they will have to pay the consequences.
• Be aware and take appropriate action: Be careful to recognize problem behavior and seek help when necessary. Your child’s well-being comes first and foremost.