Is your drinking influencing your kids?
Positive guidance – it’s one of the greatest powers parents have. As your kid’s number one role model, it’s up to you to shape their perception of right and wrong.
Kids are interested in what’s going on around them and will notice how adults act. This includes how adults consume alcohol. Research shows that parents and family members have a lot of influence in shaping their kids’ attitudes toward alcohol, and future drinking behaviour.
Teens want to be treated like adults, which may mean:
- discussing drinking alcohol at home
- asking to take alcohol to parties
- drinking with their friends.
It’s important that you:
- set a good example for them
- have open and honest conversations with them
- set your expectations.
How to shape your kids’ attitudes towards alcohol
Your teen might ask you about alcohol and what it’s like to drink it. It’s okay to answer honestly — being honest with your child will encourage them to be honest to you! Avoid glorifying intoxication (being drunk) — you can explain to them:
- what alcohol does to the body
- why only adults should consume it
- the importance of drinking in moderation.
Inevitably, your teen will ask if you’ve been drunk. If you have been, you can tell them. Admit the lessons you’ve learned from your experiences. This can help your child understand the expectations you have for them and those around them to act responsibly.
You can ask them:
- What attitudes do you have about alcohol?
- What do you know about the effects of alcohol?
- How do you feel about your parents drinking alcohol?
These conversations can:
- help you reflect on your own drinking behaviours
- open up communication
- set boundaries for the future.
Be sure to lead by example and limit the amount of alcohol and how often you consume it in front of your child. If you don’t want your child to think drinking to excess is acceptable, so display self-restraint and demonstrate responsible drinking. Be sure to:
- not drink alcohol every day
- encourage non-alcoholic gatherings with friends and family.
Alcohol should never be the focus of a get together – show your children that you can enjoy yourself without alcohol. You can also:
- encourage friends and family to be good role models for your children
- avoid people and places that will have a negative impact on your child’s attitudes to alcohol.
More information
Listen to Dr Andrew Rochford discuss the importance of parents’ role modelling positive behaviours in the videos below.
Video: Kids and alcohol with Dr Andrew Rochford
Video: Delaying underage teenage drinking with Dr Andrew Rochford
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