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How To Talk To Your Children About Alcohol (Cont.) <br />5 Conversation Goals When <br />Talking to Your Child About Alcohol <br />The X-Plan <br />Children’s FAQ’s About Alcohol: <br />“Why is alcohol bad for me?” <br />Answer: Alcohol interferes with your judgement. <br />You might make really dangerous mistakes like <br />going to places or doing and saying things you <br />shouldn’t. There are long-term health effects of <br />drinking. Drinking too much over an extended <br />period of time can damage just about every <br />organ in your body. Alcohol dangerously effects <br />the development and growth of your brain and <br />body. <br />“Grown-ups drink alcohol, why can’t I?” <br />Answer: It’s against the law for minors under the <br />age of 21 to drink alcohol, and there’s a reason <br />for that. People must be old enough to take <br />responsibility for drinking, and avoid misusing <br />alcohol. Certain privileges and responsibilities <br />come with age. For example, adults are allowed <br />to drink, vote in elections, and drive cars, but <br />they are also responsible for going to work, <br />paying taxes, and providing for their families. <br />“Just because you drink doesn’t mean you’re <br />drunk, right?” <br />Answer: Right, many factors affect whether <br />people who drink are drunk. These include <br />gender, weight, how fast they are drinking, and <br />whether they have had water and a meal with the <br />drinks. This goes for beer, wine, or liquor. It is <br />important for any adult, regardless of age, to <br />know their limits and to drink responsibility. <br />Making healthy decisions is important for adults <br />too! <br />“Why isn’t alcohol illegal?” <br />Answer: There was a time in our history when it <br />was illegal to consume alcohol, but now there are <br />laws in place to ensure that people who do <br />choose to drink do so within certain legalities. <br />Alcohol is a longstanding part of our culture, and <br />most adults who drink are able to enjoy it <br />responsibly. <br />Questions and answers adapted from: <br />asklistenlearn.org/parents/start-a-conversation <br />1. Show you disapprove of underage drinking <br />2. Show you care about your child’s happines <br />and well-being <br />3. Show you’re a good source of information <br />about alcohol. <br />4. Show you’re paying attention and you’ll <br />notice if your child drinks. <br />5. Build your child’s skills and strategies for <br />avoiding underage drinking. <br />Child, Danny, texts his parent the letter “X” if he’s <br />in an uncomfortable situation with his peers. <br />Upon receiving the text, the parent calls Danny <br />and they follow this script: <br />Danny: “Hello?” <br />Parent: “Danny, something’s come up and I have <br />to come get you right now.” <br />Danny: “What happened?” <br />Parent: “I’ll tell you when I get there. Be ready to <br />leave in five minutes. I’m on my way.” <br />This provides Danny with a way out of the <br />situation. An important part of the plan is that both <br />Danny and his parent have an understanding that <br />he can disclose as much, or as little, about the <br />uncomfortable situation as he wants. <br />? <br />Establishing Consequences <br />If you catch your child drinking alcohol: <br />• Establish consequences in accordance to <br /> your parenting style <br />• Emphasize that drinking underage is illegal, <br /> detrimental to one’s health, and can result in <br /> serious consequences if caught by the police. <br />If your child comes to you with an admission: <br />• Praise honesty, but show your disapproval - <br /> don’t let the problem go without weighing in. <br />• Emphasize that you disapprove of this <br /> behavior, that it’s highly dangerous, and that <br /> you expect it never to happen again.