Alcohol is very common. In fact, it’s one of the ways my peers and I destressed during residency, hanging out at a local bar for weekly scheduled happy hour, chatting about our victories and frustrations. Everyone was welcome to come, whenever you felt like it, no pressure either way. And everyone was over 21.

Most likely your kids will come around alcohol at some point whether they already see it displayed at home, poured in a glass with dinner for the parents, or at summer BBQs. There is a lot of misinformation and confusion to kids and teens. School assemblies talk about avoiding alcohol, and yet maybe the parents or and older sibling say it’s okay to have a sip at a family gathering. They might hear about their friends’ friends partying with alcohol or see ads on TV with people drinking a beer going somewhere fun. The alcohol may be mixed with flavors that are more familiar to them, somehow making the alcohol then seem a bit less risky and foreign.

So parents, good luck! Just kidding. Wouldn’t leave you hanging. Your job is not easy, but these are some resources to help you set the facts straight and offer some practical tips on how to talk to your kids about alcohol. Don’t be nervous, just keep talking about it, talk early and often, and eventually the words will fall into place! I will come through these websites later and offer some highlights later. But take a look in the mean time.

Too Smart To Start
Taking Action
Debunking Myths about Underage Drinking at Home