Parenting – Parents Empowered

Parenting

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You are the most powerful influence.

Believe it or not, teens still listen to their parents. In fact, kids usually listen to their parents more than anybody else, including their friends. In a recent survey on underage drinking, teens reported that parental disapproval is the number one reason they choose not to drink.

Parenting tops peer pressure.

Around puberty, most children naturally begin to push away from their parents. It is a normal part of development. However, as a result, many parents feel they’ve suddenly lost the ability to influence their teenagers. Well, great news: That is not true. While parents may feel their teens are tuning them out and are no longer listening to their advice, their teenage children are reporting just the opposite. So, as a parent, keep talking; keep trying. You do make a difference!

It’s simple to bond with your kids.

Kids need help to stay alcohol-free.

Just talking with your kids about staying alcohol-free when there are constant pressures and opportunities to drink is not enough. You must stay actively involved in your child’s daily activities—and it isn’t easy. Your life is busier than ever before, and making the extra effort to keep close tabs on your teenager seems difficult. However, staying involved really will make a powerful difference in keeping your child alcohol- and addiction-free.

Four ways to prevent underage drinking

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Recognize the Problem

Underage drinking is a bigger problem than most parents think. It might seem impossible, but even your child could be at risk.

What can you do?

First, learn and explain how alcohol can damage a child’s brain and increase the risk of addiction. Second, take an active role in your child’s activities, and stay aware of what they are involved in by

Bonding

Create a positive home environment and do things together as a family. Stay actively involved in your child’s life—even if you think they aren’t listening to you. You make a difference.

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Boundaries

Set rules and expectations of what is expected—absolutely NO underage alcohol use. Unclear rules and expectations leave kids vulnerable to underage drinking.

Set Rules

Monitoring

Know where your child is, whom they are with, and what they are doing. Notice your child’s emotional well-being, and help them to become involved in worthwhile activities.

Be Aware