Parenting 101

Lesson 1: The Parental Role

Alcohol: What It Tells Your Kids

One out of 3 families in the United States is affected by alcoholism or drug abuse. And many more families teeter right on the edge of joining this statistical pool. Children die every day from drugs or alcohol. This is something no parent ever wants to have to go through. Yet, these same parents may be unwittingly setting up conditions for their child’s addiction.

In homes across America, tired parents trudge up the walkway, drop briefcases and coats into a chair and head for a drink. At parties, Dad, normally reserved and quiet during the week, becomes the “life of the party.” Mom may need a drink or two before going out for the evening. And our children watch. And they learn.

They learn it’s “normal” to want 2 or 3 drinks to get the party going. That it’s OK to have a drink to “calm my nerves or settle my tummy”. When they see Daddy becoming wildly animated, or Mommy beginning to act suggestive, they learn it’s just the drink talking. That magically, alcohol removes responsibility for stupid or ugly behavior. If everytime there’s a football game on TV, Dad goes out and buys a keg for the boys, the children begin to associate beer with sports.

Is this the kind of message we want our children to have? Is this the kind of learned behavior we wish to teach our kids? No. We need to be very conscious of our behavior with alcohol. There is nothing wrong with a glass of wine with dinner or an occasional drink. But we need to try and break the association between drinking and activities. How? Try and plan activities that will not involve alcohol: parties, trips to the beach or to games. Our children then are given an opportunity to see that life can be enjoyed for life’s sake. That we can gather together as a group, enjoy ourselves and still have fun without alcohol. We are supposed to be role models for our children. If alcohol is playing too large a role in your family’s life, try and effect some changes. You just might save a life.

How much does alcohol affect your life?

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