Talking Tips: How to Start

Discussing alcohol with your child may not be the easiest talk you ever have, but it may be one of the most important. Still, getting started can be tough. Here are some thoughts on ways to start.

Answer when asked.

If your kids ask about alcohol, take the opportunity to start a conversation. Don’t avoid or ignore the question. If you don’t know have all the answers, be honest and tell your kids you will find out, then be sure to give them the correct information. Better yet, take the time to find the answer together.

Stay calm.

Listen to what your children have to say about alcohol without getting angry, negative or defensive. This will help them feel comfortable enough to come to you if they have questions or problems in the future.

Start an ongoing conversation.

Alcohol use should not be a one-time discussion—it should be a topic of ongoing conversation as you recognize opportunities to be the influence and talk with your children about alcohol in your everyday life.

Set an example.

Actions speak louder than words, especially when it comes to young children. If you say one thing and do another, your children are going to notice. If you are going to drink around your kids, be sure to model responsible behaviour.

Speak to the situation.

Are you planning to serve alcohol to guests or do you come from a culture where wine is served with dinner? This gives you a good opportunity to talk to your children about your views on drinking, responsible drinking and your personal rules about alcohol in the house.

Turn alcohol advertising to your advantage.

When an advertisement comes on TV, ask your child what they think of the ad… and what they think about alcohol.

Talk about your own experiences.

Don’t be afraid to tell your children if alcohol has affected your life or the lives of family and friends. Talking about events that have shaped your views about alcohol can help them understand why you feel it’s an important topic.

Are your children afraid to talk to you about drinking?

Your children most likely have questions about alcohol that they are afraid to ask. They may worry that you will get angry or that you will assume they have already tried drinking. To get them comfortable talking with you about alcohol, it’s important that you remain calm and caring and encourage them to ask you anything.

• Create opportunities for one-on-one interaction and private discussion.
• Encourage and practice honesty.
• Provide age-appropriate, factual information.
• Recognize opportunities to start conversations about alcohol.

Are you uncomfortable talking with your children about drinking?

If you are uncomfortable talking with your children about alcohol, you’re not alone. However, your children will be exposed to alcohol at some point in their lives and will need to know how to react. It’s up to you to teach them how.

• If you abstain from alcohol for personal or religious reasons, it is important that you discuss your beliefs with your children.
• If there is a history of alcohol abuse in your family or among close friends, it is important that you help your children understand the risks and warning signs of alcohol misuse. This will prevent them from repeating the same behaviours and will help them cope in situations where others are intoxicated.
• If you drink occasionally, take the opportunity to talk with your children about responsible alcohol use. But remember—actions speak louder than words, so make sure to model responsible behaviour.

As a parent, you are the single biggest influence in your child’s life, especially concerning attitudes towards alcohol. Be the influence. Talk with your child about alcohol.