Identifying a Moment

What makes a memorable moment? Taking the leap, opening the box, and trying the conversation – that’s a memorable moment!

Once you do it, you can’t turn back. You may never feel as confident as you want to feel, but you can take steps to prepare for discussing underage drinking with your teen.

• Know a few facts. Teens who drink can have memory issues and may misuse other substances, too.
• School disruptions like dropping grades, social consequences like strained relationships, and legal situations are all on the list of what can happen when underage drinking occurs.
• Be ready to really listen, too. We need to listen to understand where they’re coming from, instead of listening to respond.
• As adults, we usually want to feel in control of our kids. Realize this is a topic they might already know something about, either from health class at school or witnessing it firsthand. Underage drinking can have poor outcomes, and the more often we send a consistent no-use message to our teens about it, the better.

Source: 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.