At the moment the topic of conversation in our house is internet safety. IJ has discovered the joys of Moshi Monsters and Club Penguin and seems to think befriending complete strangers online is perfectly acceptable, so we’ve had to spend a great deal of time talking about it.
Before long we’ll be having similar conversations about alcohol. Although internet safety is a topic I’ve had to go out and read about, I'm all too aware of the dangers of alcohol. And as an uneducated child is a vulnerable one, I won’t be allowing IJ out in the big wide world without her knowing the facts about alcohol. I’d be putting her at risk otherwise.
Although they might not listen to us a lot of the time, Drinkaware has found that parents have the most influence on young children’s attitudes and behaviour towards alcohol. Given that the average age of a child's first drink is just under 14, it is essential that we talk to them before their friends have a greater level of influence, ideally before they start secondary school.
Even the most sensible child can be vulnerable as a result of alcohol. Help keep them safe and their friends safe. The results of not doing so can be devastating.
Plan your conversation today.
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Indeed, I like to think my parents got it right, and I definitely fit the bill in terms of when my first drink was. My folks were very calm and approachable about the whole thing. Not banning it, nor encouraging it, talking it terms of when it was responsible and the best way to consume it. Them demonstrating a controlled use of alcohol must have played a big part too.
Posted by: Ian | November 24, 2011 at 09:43 AM
Thanks Ian. I think - in fact I know - that not all parents do talk to their children about alcohol and seem unaware of the level of risk that can place their child in. It sounds like your parents got it just right. That's an approach I plan to take too, not just with alcohol but with everything.
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | November 24, 2011 at 09:47 AM
Totally agree with Ian, that is my plan and the one I am sticking too :-)
Posted by: Ali | November 24, 2011 at 09:55 AM
Excellent. Me too :-)
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | November 24, 2011 at 09:56 AM
My daughter is 15 and I know she has had alcohol at a couple of parties, but she asked me beforehand if she could do because there would be alcohol there. I have also bought her a small amount of alcohol to take to a party. I don't think there's any point telling her she can't drink any, because it'll happen anyway so explaining to her that she needs to be sensible and the effects drink can have is really vital. I've also explained that she is more vulnerable when she's had a drink and the implications of that.
She also recently held her own birthday party and asked her friends it was an alcohol free party which they all respected.
I appreciate the fact that she's been honest with me, and hopefully we can continue to talk about it in the future.
Posted by: notsupermum | November 25, 2011 at 10:53 AM
Notsupermum, I think they key is to have the lines of communication open so we can talk to them about alcohol and they can talk to us, which is exactly what you are doing. The issue that you can be more vulnerable is the one I am going to make sure hits home with my daughter. It's reassuring to hear your experiences and know that these conversations are possible. Thank you. x
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | November 25, 2011 at 10:57 AM