STARTING THE CONVERSATION Communication is most effective when all participants have a feeling of connection and collaboration. The best way to achieve this is by asking for permission. For example, you might say, “There is something that I have been hearing about lately in the news and I was hoping we could talk about it for a few minutes. Is that okay?” When the time is right to start talking together, use “how,” “what,” and “why” questions to help your son or daughter work through different scenarios that could involve alcohol. These are different than yes-or-no questions like “do you know anyone who drinks?” Questions that start with “how,” “what,” and “why” can encourage an exchange of ideas. They help middle school children practice rational thinking about pros and cons of different alternatives. Open-ended questions allow kids to develop thinking skills that help them resist in-the- moment emotions
How Alcohol Effects Us
Kids who drink alcohol before age 21 are more likely to: As higher levels of alcohol reach the brain, physical processes slow down, including breathing and heart rate. Too much alcohol makes breathing and heart rate drop to dangerously low levels—or even stop. Alcohol is a drug that depresses the entire body. From the first drink, alcohol begins to impair judgment, coordination, and reaction time.
Face problems in school Get assaulted Abuse alcohol later in life Drown or fall Die in a car crash
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