Exposure to alcohol and binge drinking in teenagers are early indicators of dangerous behaviors involving alcohol later in life. You want to protect your kids from the dangers of alcohol at an early age to prevent this.
A recent study has shown that older teens are less likely to drive impaired if they know that their parents disapprove of drinking. We've outlined the other strategies you can use to curb teenage drinking here.
Explain the dangers of drunk driving
The laws around reckless driving are intricate, and as a parent, you may not be able to explain them. A car accident lawyer is a perfect person to explain the dangers of drunk driving to your child. Stephen F. Thompson Jr., Attorney at Law, is an expert attorney in the field of accident injury.
He will be able to express the gravity of drinking and driving in a way that may not be clear coming from you. But that doesn't mean you're totally off the hook. You should open up to your children and engage in an honest, two-way conversation about the seriousness of drunk driving.
Set clear rules and boundaries
Ensure that your child is aware that drinking is prohibited. They need to know that you disapprove of underage drinking and that there are consequences to breaking the law. Your disapproval is the key to instilling a conscience about impaired driving, according to a recent study.
Explaining the consequences of drunk driving from a younger age can be impactful. And as they get older, the consequences for underage drinking need to be apparent in the home. If your child is caught drinking before the age of 21, they need to be reprimanded accordingly.
Handling peer pressure
Equip your child with strategies for dealing with peer pressure. Go through as many scenarios that might involve peer pressure about alcohol. Be aware that bullying can be part of the equation, too and the more they know about dealing with friends that may have harmful intentions, the more equipped they are to deal with them.
Reassure your child that they can call on you at any hour of the night or morning if they need a ride home. You are their safety net and so long as they feel that they can lean on you, they will feel less pressure to follow their friends. The lessons you teach now will stay with them, and you have a great influence on them as a parent.
Be a positive example
Your behavior must reflect what you tell your children. They will see when you are being disingenuous. If you tell them to stay away from alcohol and practice sober habits but you do the opposite, they become confused and your words mean less.
Children model their behavior on their surroundings. And while this doesn't mean you should be a saint, it just means that you need to be careful about what you say and do around them. On the other hand, secrecy can also be dangerous. It's all about honesty and awareness.
Show interest in their life
Get to know their friends and show interest in what they enjoy doing. Communicate openly with their friends and their parents and maintain some boundaries, as teenagers tend to act out if they feel controlled. If you are worried about friends who seem to be a bad influence, limit their time with your child.
Empower your child in ways that make them feel supported. Create a safe space where there is no judgment and they can speak openly and honestly, without being disrespectful, about how they feel and what they do.