Opinions that are derogatory, attack other users, or are offensive in nature can and will be removed. TalkSooner.org and our partners are not responsible for the content posted in this comment section. We reserve the right to remove any offensive, off-topic, or self promotional posts. Recommend a category.
I suspect my child is drinking alcohol. Click here.
Recent studies show that kids want their parents to talk to them about tough topics. The question is how? Try using everyday situations for help. If you and your child see the topic of drugs or alcohol come up on television or in public, talk about it. Talk about how misusing alcohol is harmful to the body and leads nowhere good. Share with other parents your conversation starters by commenting below.
Be a parent. You can't always be a best friend to your kids. My kids respond well to me telling them what I expect of them.
Comment by Angie @ Dec 27 2010 from Kent county
i sit my son down for talks on stuff like this. Usually over dinner. I mix it in with talks about how school is going and how kids are treating him at school.
Comment by Mike @ Nov 9 2009 from Muskegon county
The Berrien County Community Alliance Against Substance Abuse (CAASA) has developed a program where anyone can purchase low cost drug test kits from the local health department or police agency. These kits are intended to be a topic starter for parents with young adults. The kit never needs to be used but simply having it in the house allows kids the opportunity to say no to substance abuse because "my mom might test me when I get home." If you are in or near Berrien County and would like to get ahold of a test give the health department a call or check the website www.bchdmi.org for contact information. The kit comes complete with instructions drug information and conversation starters for parents.
Comment by Nate @ Nov 12 2009 from Berrien county
This website is a great! I've already found some useful information to begin having the conversation with my child. Keep up the good work!
Comment by NeNe @ Nov 13 2009 from kent county
I think that our kids are smarter than we give them credit. I found it SUPER EASY to talk to my 10 year-old son about drinking.
I brought it up when I was opening a bottle of wine for dinner. I let him smell it, (which he hated), and explained that alcohol is someting that doesn't taste good until you're older.
I also got technical on him. I explained that alcohol is a toxin that gets into your blood. Kids' bodies are smaller than adults, so they have less blood causing the toxins to have far more harmful effects on the health of his body.
I just told him that it's dangerous to drink any alcohol until his body was bigger. It seemed to work!
Comment by Jan @ Dec 10 2009 from Muskegon county
I'm not sure what category is best for my comment, so I'm leaving it in several places.
I think that our kids are smarter than we give them credit. I found it SUPER EASY to talk to my 10 year-old son about drinking.
I brought it up when I was opening a bottle of wine for dinner. I let him smell it, (which he hated), and explained that alcohol is someting that doesn't taste good until you're older.
I also got technical on him. I explained that alcohol is a toxin that gets into your blood. Kids' bodies are smaller than adults, so they have less blood causing the toxins to have far more harmful effects on the health of his body.
I just told him that it's dangerous to drink any alcohol until his body was bigger. It seemed to work!
Comment by Jan @ Dec 10 2009 from Muskegon county
Got a voicemail this past weekend from a parent who was wondering what age to start to talk to your children about alcohol. Here's the response:
Check out the website www.talksooner.org. It is a site for parents who are looking for support and information from other local parents. This site was developed in Southwest Michigan for our southwest Michigan parents and while it is open to everyone it is focused on our area. Also in substance abuse prevention the research tells us to start talking about prevention 2 years before the behavior is experimented with. So with alcohol we suggest starting to discuss it with children at age 10-11.
It is important to remember that a 10 year old doesn't need to know all of the details about alcohol, what they need to know is how their parent feels about alcohol. A parent should condemn the use of alcohol underage, as well as driving under the influence. The parent must also set a good example where alcohol use is concerned. If a child sees mom or dad drinking to the point of visible intoxication and then driving then the child will assume it is okay even if the parent says it's not. If a parent chooses to have a drink while the kids are around then they must show positive behaviors including drinking in moderation and avoiding dangerous situations such as driving. Setting a good example and talking honestly with your children about how you feel about alcohol will mold their feelings toward the substance. Hiding from the conversation means the child will learn by your behaviors or what other influences want them to believe about alcohol.
Comment by Nate @ Feb 10 2010 from Berrien county
Comment by Coach Outlet @ Apr 25 2012 from county
Comment by Coach Outlet Store Online @ Apr 25 2012 from america county
Comment by Coach Outlet Store Online @ Apr 25 2012 from Coach Outlet Store Online county
I think that our children like it when we let them include their friends in family activities. It's not always in our budgets to pay for everyone, but most of the time the friends parents will pay for their child. I once read that children spell love TIME.