Alcohol and Access your teen – Trust, but verify
Their teenage daughter spends the night with her friend Mary's house. Mary's mother seems to be a responsible, law-abiding adult. You've made it several times and there is no reason for you to think nothing would go wrong. Mary's father is in charitable organizations involved. However, please do – but then think, why not?
The sleepover at Mary's house seems perfectly innocent. Her daughter and her friend get good grades in school. They have not given you real reason not to trust them. They are good children. You have the "same choices consequences" Talk with your daughter had. And your teen need some confidence, right? You have to let go.
You try to be reasonable.
For many parents this is where the conflict begins. It is difficult to decide when to hold back and when to let go. But you can not let your guard down, because young people are vulnerable to the temptation and peer pressure every day. What if …?
Mary's parents are busy fulfilling their social and community obligations and are not paying attention to what your daughter Mary, and do. They are not at home, or they visited friends, or they are just tired from work, and his guard is down. Or maybe they wear rose-colored glasses when it comes to Mary, and believe that close supervision of the girls is not necessary because she would never betray their trust.
The young people head out to a party at John's house. Perhaps they have said they were the movies, bowling, or maybe just hang with John. John's father is "cool" parent. He understands young people, happy to have people around him and wants to know, what with his children. John's Dad is one of the parents involved. He teaches his son to be responsible. He wants John to drink in moderation and a responsible drinker will. He reasons that John will drink alcohol anyway, so why not teach him how to do it responsibly?
How to buy Papa John's beer for the party. Not too much, and he sets limits, warns John that every teen should not have more than two beers. He stays at home to monitor the situation. Everything seems to be going quite well.
But John's father, the following aspects:
- Are capable of much greater amounts of alcohol than adults experience of the negative consequences of drinking water to consume, such as drowsiness, lack of coordination and withdrawal / hangover effects.
- Are particularly sensitive the positive effects of alcohol consumption, as the feeling at ease in social situations, young people may be more) drink more than adults, because these positive social experiences (NIAAA 2009th
These statistics do not take into account the risk that Papa John's takes, in many states, he may be criminally responsible for the provision of alcohol to minors on property he owns, are rented or controlled by other means. Civil liability is always an issue, no state makes it legal for an adult is the alcohol to any other children. But if we are not vigilant, a tragedy could occur before you are even aware of the danger your child faces.
Strengthen your resolve be. your teen parent, not a friend. Make sure you understand teen that can not other adults to give them permission, alcohol to drink. You've already said no, and no one else can one ignore the parent company.
Talk and listen, your teen. Maintain an ongoing, open dialogue on underage drinking and the associated risks. Create a code word, so if your teen must soon be picked up, you will do this without questions, to the following question day when you both calm enough to discuss the situation are reasonable. Let your child Know that you do not agree all the tours without sufficient knowledge so that you to the hosting mother can speak first.
When you spend teen the night at a friend's house or go to a party, call the hosting parent to find out the details. Volunteer to chaperone and provide transportation. Provide Ensure the hosting parent shares your concern about the availability of alcohol and that none are allowed. Ask how much supervision is provided.
Limit the amount of time your teen away from home. Check alert and attentive when the teens back. Welcome your teen with a kiss and a hug, so you can monitor your child's physical, mental and emotional state.
It is tempting for parents to relax their vigilance once their children become teenagers. After all, the teenager will soon be on their own and control over their parents. But the teen years are a crucial part of your child's development and the decisions which might affect her life, the rest of her. This is not the time to let down your guard.
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About the Author
Kelly earned a degree in Aviation Management, including minors in Flight Operations and Sociology from the College of Business at Jacksonville University in 1986. She has 20 years experience in aviation and business management, scheduling, and training, including 13 years experience managing over 100 instructors, overseeing instructor training, curriculum development, implementation and compliance for Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Courses, Basic Driver Improvement, Advanced Driver Improvement classes and Behind the Wheel Training.
She serves as Chairman of the Board for the St. Johns County-St. Augustine Airport Authority, Secretary of Jacksonville University Aviation Advisory Board, Board Member for EPIC Community Services, and Advisory Board Member of St. Johns County School District Aerospace Academy.
She has been active in her children’s schools and extracurricular activities. Her current community service includes Sea Turtle Patrol, Mission House Homeless Shelter, Bird Island Park, and St. John’s County PACT Coalition.