Alcohol plays a big part in many people’s lives and in a variety of different ways. For some, it’s no more than a social aspect of life, enjoying a pint of beer here and there. For others, it’s heavily relied upon to get through stressful days. In fact, it’s becoming more and more of a problem for people, and that can have a significant impact on the children in a person’s life.
Making children aware of alcohol is important. A person’s childhood can really shape their relationship with alcohol. In alcohol rehab, many people suffering from addiction can effectively trace their problem back to their surroundings growing up, with alcohol either normalised or parents also suffering the same form of the disease, which is why education is key.
But how do you start those conversations and that education? Here are some top tips for broaching the subject of alcohol with kids…
Choose the Right Age
Firstly, you’ve got to find the right age to speak to them. Too early, and they won’t understand; too late, and they may have already started drinking, and it becomes a problem. Typically, you want to start initiating conversations in the pre-adolescent years, between around nine and 12 years old. By then, they’ll know what alcohol is and that it’s only really for grown-ups, and you’ll be able to build upon that.
Create an Open and Non-Judgmental Environment
When having those conversations, it is important to make sure there’s an openness to what you’re saying. You need to be honest and allow your child to ask questions without the fear of criticism. Chances are you may well have drunk alcohol in front of them, so there will be inevitable questions around that.
Of course, that’s fine. This isn’t a telling off or telling someone not to do something, it’s an education so they can make the right choices for them further down the line.
Use Age-Appropriate Language
In order to have the best impact, you need to speak to your child in a language they’ll understand. It may be you start off basic and then build on that as they get older, perhaps explaining more about addiction and the like. At a young age, a lot of information may go over their head, so it’s important to deliver knowledge that they will value and understand, continuing that process as they enter their teens.
Use Facts & Experience To Back Up Your Sentiment
A lot of what you’ll say will be anecdotal, but if you can use facts about alcohol and what it does, as well as any first-hand experiences of alcohol abuse, then it will reinforce what you’re saying much more. Perhaps there’s been a history of abuse in your family and you can address what happened to them, maybe even get them to talk about their experiences if that’s possible. What you’re saying to your child will carry much more weight if you do this.
Discuss Peer Pressure and Being Responsible
Of course, for children and teenagers, one of the biggest problems around alcohol is peer pressure. As part of your education around alcohol, you should really emphasize the power of saying no and making responsible choices. Discuss the legalities around drinking and almost train your child in decision-making skills, giving them the right tools to be able to avoid peer pressure, as well as drinking responsibly as they get older.
All the while, it’s important to keep an open dialogue and encourage your child to ask questions about the topic. By doing that, they’ll have a much clearer picture of alcohol as they enter young adulthood and the years they might start using it. Having that solid foundation of knowledge is crucial. More so now than ever before.
