Sure, it can be an uncomfortable topic or even seem trite, cliche, or exaggerated to discuss the dangers of alcohol with your children, but it just might save their life one day. Many parents stop at, “It’s dangerous to drink and drive”, or “Drinking can lead to addiction”. Instead, parents should be opening up dialogue about alcohol and its dangers with their children, going in depth with the ins and outs of drinking and what it can lead to. If you’re looking for some great ideas on how to begin these sorts of dialogues or how to discuss alcohol and its dangers with your underage children, here are some great resources:
>> CNN’s Underage Drinking: Talking to Your Teen About Alcohol
>> NIAAA’s Make a Difference: Talk to Your Child About Alcohol
What are some ways that you’ve opened up dialogue about alcohol with your teen? Did they respond well to your methods? Would you consider a different approach if you had to do it all over again?