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How To Talk To Your Children About Alcohol <br />• Begin the conversation about the dangers of underage drinking <br />with elementary schoolers – It’s not too early. <br />• Having conversations about alcohol does not plant the seed for <br />children to use. <br />• Monitor the accessibility of alcohol in your own home <br />• Children are acute observers – If you choose to drink, ensure that <br />you’re modeling responsible drinking behaviors. <br />• During the first 6 weeks of college, students are at a higher risk for dangerous drinking. <br />Approximately 12.5% of UNC freshman report drinking alcohol in the summer before <br />college. After the first 6 weeks of their first semester, approximately 75% of UNC freshmen <br />report drinking alcohol. This trend mirrors national statistics among college students. <br />• Set clear expectations about academic performance, financial responsibility, and how <br />underage alcohol use can impact both. <br />• Validate that abstinence from alcohol is a healthy, safe and acceptable decision. <br />• Discuss strategies that your child should use to avoid drinking dangerously, if they <br />choose to drink. <br />Start Early – Elementary School <br />With New Beginnings Come New Challenges - College <br />• Help your high schooler build skills and strategies to resist peer <br />pressure and avoid underage drinking <br />• Consider establishing an “X-Plan” with your high schooler to help <br />them navigate out of situations where underage drinking is present <br />(see link: <br />bertfulks.com/2017/02/23/x-plan-giving-your-kids-a-way-out-xplan/) <br />It’s Not If But When – High School <br />• Be clear about family values and set expectations about underage <br />drinking <br />• Talk to your middle schooler about the future effects of underage <br />drinking – adults who consumed their first drink before age 15 were <br />7x more likely to experience alcohol problems than those who did <br />not drink underage. <br />• Begin having open and honest conversations about underage <br />drinking – keep conversations brief, and don’t forget to listen! <br />• Use a current newspaper article or recent event about alcohol as <br />a way to start a conversation. <br />Continue the Conversation – Middle School <br />Parents Play a Role in a Child’s Decision to Drink <br />96% of CHCCS middle school students believe that their parents would disapprove <br />or strongly disapprove if their child drank alcohol. <br />90% of CHCCS high school students believe that their parents would disapprove <br />or strongly disapprove if their child drank alcohol.