How Do I Follow Up?

Congratulations! Your child has reached another milestone, and you discussed the risks of underage drinking with them. Now, it’s time to follow up on that initial encounter.

• You know what your child is passionate about. Have a discussion featuring how drinking alcohol underage could put that in jeopardy. Are your kids athletes or musicians? Are they working on their mental health or looking forward to the future? Find what hits home and discuss together what alcohol use could mean.

Parenting doesn’t get easier; it’s a rollercoaster of change! Parents today have more accurate information and scientific research to share when it comes to underage drinking and youth. Underage drinking is preventable.

• Keep in mind that your drinking can influence your teen’s choice to drink. “Studies show a relationship between underage drinking behaviors and the drinking behaviors of adult relatives, adults in the same household, and adults in the same community and state.”
• Alcohol use impacts good decision-making, and that can mean a variety of consequences.
• Next time you chat with your child about underage drinking, share a few new facts. Also, communicate that you will follow through with repercussions if they are caught using alcohol.

Source: https://niaaaforteens.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-and-your-health#risky-behaviors-injuries and https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/underage-drinking.htm

Funded in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery through a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.