| Parents who want to prevent their children from | | | | to communicate with them and rely upon them for |
| drinking. Many kids and teens try alcohol. Most children | | | | guidance and support and to discuss the topic of peer |
| have their first alcohol at an early age, as young as 10 | | | | pressure and their own thoughts, questions, and |
| or 11 or even younger. This is dangerous. alcohol can | | | | concerns about alcohol use. They will be more |
| cause special problem for kids and teenagers because | | | | concerned about pleasing their family because of the |
| many parts of their body are not fully grown yet. | | | | love that is shared. |
| They are also more likely to develop problems with | | | | 4. Establish a clear family position on drugs. Parents |
| alcohol later in life. | | | | who transmit to their children—in a consistently loving |
| Many kids to get the wrong message about alcohol. | | | | and respectful way—a sound set of moral values |
| Children are receiving powerful messages about | | | | help ground their children against a complex, confusing, |
| alcohol from the media, their friends, families and from | | | | and shifting world. Teaching a child a standard of |
| your own attitudes and behaviors. So it’s important | | | | obedience by personal example as well as precept, |
| to start discussing alcohol use and abuse with your | | | | and by emphasizing it, helps internalize important |
| kids at an early age and keep talking about it as they | | | | values. |
| grow up. So it’s important to start discussing | | | | 5. Be a good example. Children will do what you do |
| alcohol use and abuse with your kids at an early age | | | | much more readily than what you say. |
| and keep talking about it as they grow up. | | | | 6. Get involved with your child’s activities. |
| The effect alcohol abuse: | | | | Encourage your children to participate in supervised |
| Alcohol is a kind of drug and you can become | | | | groups, clubs, and events that are challenging, fun, and |
| addicted to it. alcohol slows the brain’s activities and | | | | alcohol free. |
| the activity of the spinal cord. alcohol also changes the | | | | 7. Buid Self-esteem. Children who possess high |
| way people feel. A small amount of alcohol often | | | | self-esteem and good social and life skills are more |
| makes people talk more or makes them feel happy or | | | | likely to thrive in a social setting and are less likely to |
| relaxed. But drinking too much can make a person feel | | | | become involved in delinquent behavior and alcohol |
| angry or unhappy. The more they drink, the worse | | | | abuse. Parents, teachers, clergy, and community |
| their behavior can get. | | | | leaders should teach and provide opportunities for |
| Many accidents are caused by those who decide to | | | | children to develop these important skills. |
| drink and drive cars, boats, ships, planes or trains. | | | | 8. Discuss what makes a good friend. Teach your kids |
| Driving is a big problem when alcohol is involved. Even | | | | to choose friends wisely and how to form positive |
| small amounts of alcohol can reduce coordination, slow | | | | relationships. |
| reflexes, and lead to overconfidence. Alcohol is a | | | | 9. Set the rule. Parents who engage in active rule |
| factor in half of all highway fatalities and one-third of all | | | | setting and consistently fair discipline give their children |
| highway injuries. | | | | a clear signal that they are valuable and that certain |
| Steps to help children stay alcohol free: | | | | things are a high priority. |
| 1. Talking to Kids About Alcohol. Children benefit from | | | | 10. Role modeling. Parents and siblings who do not drink |
| healthy, open communication with their parents and | | | | or drink very discreetly and modestly are set up to be |
| other significant adults. Shutdown or failure to | | | | stronger influences and role models for their teens for |
| communicate leaves children isolated and vulnerable. | | | | abstinence. |
| 2. Listen carefully. Parents who listen as well as | | | | 11. Spirituality. Parents who bequeath upon their children |
| speak—and when they speak, do so with respect | | | | a strong spiritual and religious orientation and a belief |
| and kindness, instead of preaching and | | | | system that encourages faith and hope and trust in |
| ordering—have a stronger rapport with their children. | | | | things higher and more powerful than themselves give |
| Teach them to say “no, thanks” when the drink | | | | their children a power that is superior to any other. This |
| offered is an alcoholic one. | | | | faith will strengthen the spiritual resolve that controls |
| 3. Bonding. Children who enjoy a strong sense of | | | | physical appetites and helps them overcome serious |
| bonding with parents and siblings will be more inclined | | | | challenges in their lives. |