You’ve tamed the tantrums, prevailed through
Pampers® and potty training, and took on the role of tooth fairy many
times, but that was a few years ago. Now you’re faced with a new challenge:
dealing with your child’s early adolescence (ages 10-14) and the possibility
that he or she might begin using alcohol.
Dramatic physical and emotional changes affect most 10- to 14-year-olds,
and often lead to feelings of awkwardness and self-consciousness. Add
the effects of peer pressure and this becomes a very impressionable
time, a period where children are likely to experiment with alcohol
and other harmful substances. But take heart: Study after study has
shown that even during the teen years, parents have enormous influence
on their children’s behavior.
The best way to influence your adolescent to avoid drinking is to
have a strong, trusting relationship with him or her. It is especially
important to let your child know that in your eyes, he or she does measure
up and that you care for him or her very deeply. When children have
a strong bond with a parent, they are more likely to feel good about
themselves and less prone to cave in to peer pressure. Having a positive
relationship with you may also influence your child to live up to your
expectations because he or she wants to keep a close tie with you.
Talking with your child is the best way to help him or her avoid the
risks of dangerous behavior. Many parents may feel uneasy bringing up
the subject of alcohol, and your young teen may try to dodge the discussion.
You should take the time to think about the issues you want to discuss
before your talk, as well as how you will answer any questions your
child may have. This discussion should be just the first part of an
ongoing, comfortable, and open conversation.
Always remember: You can make a difference in the choices your child
makes, and now is the time to act. You can get good practical tips on
how to help your child make the right decisions in a new booklet, Make
a Difference–Talk to your child about Alcohol. It is from the experts
at the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), a
component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). a report
from The NIH Word on Health, October 2000
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SIX
WAYS TO SAY NO TO A DRINK
At some point, your child will be offered alcohol. To resist such
pressure, teens say they prefer quick “one-liners” that allow them to
dodge a drink without making a big scene. It will probably work best
for your teen to take the lead in thinking up comebacks to drink offers
so that he or she will feel comfortable saying them. But to get the
brainstorming started, here are some simple pressure-busters, from the
mildest to the most assertive.
1. |
No thanks. |
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2. |
I don’t feel like it |
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do you have any soda? |
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3. |
Alcohol’s NOT my thing. |
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4. |
Are you talking to me? |
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FORGET it. |
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5. |
Why do you keep pressuring me when I’ve said NO. |
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6. |
Back off! |
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