Photo by Action Press / Rex Features
Parents are the #1 influence on adolescents and there proven strategies parents can use to prevent their teenagers from drinking.
1. Talk to your children early and often about alcohol and discuss your family's rules about underage drinking. Set clear and specific expectations that they not drink alcohol and explain the risks to them. The “forbidden fruit” theory is a myth. There is a growing body of research showing that youth are less likely to drink when alcohol is less available and when there are clearly communicated rules stating they should not drink alcohol.
2. Be involved. Research indicates that children are less likely to drink when their parents are involved in their lives and when they and their parents report feeling close to each other.
3. Monitor your children. Know where they are going and with whom. Network with other parents, especially the parents of your child's friends. Don’t fall prey to the line “but Mom, everyone is doing it!” Despite this strongly held belief, most teens aren’t drinking.
4. Set consequences and follow through on them.
5. Set a good example for how to use alcohol moderately or by not drinking at all.
1. Talk to your children early and often about alcohol and discuss your family's rules about underage drinking. Set clear and specific expectations that they not drink alcohol and explain the risks to them. The “forbidden fruit” theory is a myth. There is a growing body of research showing that youth are less likely to drink when alcohol is less available and when there are clearly communicated rules stating they should not drink alcohol.
2. Be involved. Research indicates that children are less likely to drink when their parents are involved in their lives and when they and their parents report feeling close to each other.
3. Monitor your children. Know where they are going and with whom. Network with other parents, especially the parents of your child's friends. Don’t fall prey to the line “but Mom, everyone is doing it!” Despite this strongly held belief, most teens aren’t drinking.
4. Set consequences and follow through on them.
5. Set a good example for how to use alcohol moderately or by not drinking at all.
Thanks, Sarah!
0 comments:
Post a Comment