Because I love you…. We talk about alcohol!

When BN Parents started getting messaging to parents in 2012, according to the Illinois Youth Survey, 52% of high school students reported their parents talked to them about not using alcohol in the past year. When we resurveyed students in the spring of 2014, that number was up to 73% of parents (BN Parents Student Feedback Survey – Spring 2014). This is great progress but we can do even better! Tell them you don’t want them to use because you love them. Then establish family rules and expectations to keep them safe.

Because I love you checklist

You can’t go everywhere with your teens, so being creative and consistent in how you check in before they go out and when they return must be a priority. Tell them you trust their ability to make positive decisions. Emphasize this includes avoiding alcohol and never riding in a car with someone that has been drinking or doing drugs. Then, use these checklists as a reminder of thing to go over before they leave and after they come back.

Before they leave….

• Set a curfew and discuss the consequences if they were to break curfew.
• Ask them where they will be, what they plan to do, and whom they will be with.
• Ask what their plan is if alcohol is there.
• Tell them they can call you any time for help if they feel unsafe.
• To keep their cell phones with them and do not make any changes to the itinerary without first consulting you.
• They need to speak with you as soon as they come home, even if they have to wake you up!

Upon returning home…

• Either be awake or make sure your teen knows to wake you.
• Have a conversation with your teen to make sure they are coherent.
• Check for signs and smells of alcohol use. (Some parents require their teens to kiss them on the cheek so they can get a good smell. Determine what works for your family!)
• Ask how the evening went and if there were any problems.
• Ask if there was alcohol present. If so, ask how that made him/her feel and what could be done next time to avoid the risk of problems.

And try these…

Implementing different parenting techniques will ensure that you are serious about “no drinking.”

• Get to know all you can about your teen’s friends. Get to know the parents of your teen’s friends.
• Praise and reward good behavior.
• Follow through on consequences when rules are broken.
• Encourage your teen and his/her friends to have fun, without drinking, through other activities (sports, family activities, hobbies, clubs, etc)
• Eat dinner together and have fun as a family.
• Refuse to provide alcohol to minors and don’t allow minors to consume alcohol in your home. If they ask, tell them “No” because you love them. And, let them know you could receive a fine of not less than $500, get a record or go to jail for providing alcohol to teens.