Parents are the #1 reason kids don't drink!

Talking to your kids about drugs and alcohol is the key

The harms of underage drinking are real, but as a parent, you can help prevent it. All kids need their parents' help to stay alcohol-free and protect their healthy brains. Alcohol can rewire developing brains for addiction. The younger that a child begins drinking, the more likely they are to become alcohol-dependent. 

Talking with your kids frequently and engaging in meaningful conversations will build trust and strengthen parent-child relationships. Kids who feel close to their parents are more likely to listen to and obey the clear standards parents set for them. 

Parents who talk to their children by age 9 are less likely to begin drinking. Researchers have found that kids make up their minds about alcohol between the ages of 9 and 13. Start the conversations by having small talks together. Over time, those talks can take the pressure off, and kids are less likely to tune their parents out. Be sure to keep the conversations casual and informal and set clear boundaries of no underage drinking. 

For additional resources and information, visit: ParentsEmpowered.org

By: Jenna Flippence