Underage Drinking During Holidays:
Generally, holidays are associated with good feelings, shared happiness, and gift exchanges. However, one of the downfalls of the holiday season is underage drinking (in the US, under the age of 21). As many as 5000 deaths each year are attributed to car crashes, suicides, homicides, falls, burns, and other kinds of accidents due to underage drinking. Most of the drinking occurs during holidays. If anything, it is a sobering statistic, and we as adults must prevent out children from jeopardizing their wellbeing as well as that of their friends.
There are two important aspects to consider.
1. Why do adolescents drink?
First of all, they are exploring the world. Remember that at this age of abundant information, our children are exposed to much more than we were used to. As such, they are constantly bombarded with images of celebrities and stars partying and leading seemingly no-worry lifestyles. Since their judgment is still in the making, quite often the teens cannot make the right choices and are tempted to behave in a manner similar to people they admire. Second, there is peer pressure. Our children are often pressed to conform to expectations of an in-crowd and adhere to the rules they might not necessarily follow otherwise.
Third, they are not always aware of ill effects the alcohol makes on their developing brains and bodies. Usually, the teens who start drinking early in life fall back in school, become addicted to drugs or alcohol at much larger proportion than their non-drinking friends, and suffer the effects of their addictions throughout their entire lives. Also, they may engage in risky sex behavior which often results in sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies.
2. What should you do as an adult to prevent underage drinking?
First of all, get to know your children. Make an effort to meet their friends and, ideally, their parents to discuss some ground rules for the parties (such as having an adult to supervise the kids). Make sure that your children and their friends share common productive interests such as sports, music, or hobbies.
Keep the lines of communication open. Discuss frankly the dangers of underage drinking and be willing to answer some hard questions. Try to stay calm during the discussions and avoid being judgmental or negative. Always remember that although you can not be present during every encounter your child has with alcohol, your actions and words still have the strong influence. Engage your children. Volunteer with them, enroll them into sports or other activities, and underline the positive aspects of healthy and productive lifestyle. Do not be scared to hire a professional therapist if your kids drinking becomes problematic. Although it might seem as an extreme measure at the moment, it goes a long way given the fact that it is easier to prevent the problem at earlier stage.
Last, but not the least, try to be a positive example for your children. You are, after all, the first role model for them, and by behaving responsibly you can demonstrate the right, and sober, way of life.
