Talk to your child about alcohol

With thousands of young people receiving exam results this summer, the Public Health Agency (PHA) wishes to remind parents of the value of talking to their child about alcohol.

Victoria Creasy, Senior Manager for Public Health at the PHA says: “Alcohol is a huge part of our culture and there is a strong link between starting to drink at a young age and problem alcohol use as an adult.”

“Parents often underestimate the influence they have on their children. They can play a vital role in supporting them to lead happy and constructive lives. By discussing with their children the risks of drinking, they can have a positive impact on their attitudes towards alcohol and help prevent their child developing problems with alcohol as they grow up. ”

Do
• Make the first move and bring up the topic of alcohol. Don’t wait until there’s a problem to talk
• Take time to listen to what they have to say
• Respect their views if you want the same in return
• Discuss the risks associated with drinking alcohol
• Discuss possible consequences of their actions and support them to make the right choices

Don’t
• Assume your child doesn’t want to talk. Not talking to your child about alcohol could be interpreted as your approval of them drinking.
• Assume they already know everything
• Interrupt or be judgmental, even if you don’t agree with their opinion.

There are more handy tips on talking to your child about drinking in the booklet You, Your Child and Alcohol, which is available from GP surgeries, pharmacies and the PHA website.