it’s also a time when the part of the brain responsible for decision-making and problem-solving has not yet matured, but other parts of the brain are primed for thrill-seeking and risk-taking behaviours. that is a bad combination. and when you add alcohol, the negative consequences can be lasting and tragic.
bottom line? there are just too many negative health consequences when tweens and teens consume alcohol, so it’s not allowed. not by the law and not by you. period. not even a sip.
now i can hear you saying, “really, alyson? not even one sip to show them it taste gross? surely, that won’t hurt them physically.”
when parents set clear and concise boundaries, we are more likely to constrain behaviour. if you consistently tell your children that “alcohol is not for minors,” every time your child or teen tests your limits, the stronger your boundary is set. this gives your teen a clear understanding of your firm stance on this health behaviour.
compare this to other values that you stand behind. do you sometimes let your teen tell an inappropriate joke or cheat on a test? no, of course not. when something is wrong and against your values you are consistent in enforcing it.
and, don’t worry. every kid is going to find some way to sneak a sip of alcohol and discover it tastes gross without your help. let them do it behind your back and without your blessings, it will be twice as sour: it tastes bad
and
they went against their parents.