INTRODUCTION
familiar that parents may forget or not consider how risky it is for young people in these early stages of development. However, the fact remains: alcohol is always a dangerous drug when in the hands of underage drinkers. Alcohol is responsible for more young peoples’ serious accidents and deaths than all other illegal drugs combined.
When children reach the middle school years and early adolescence, they are entering a period of immense and rapid change. During this exciting period, parents face new challenges and rewards. Some of a child’s changes are physical and easy to see. Other changes, such as how the child thinks, feels, communicates, and interacts with peers, are less noticeable.
PURPOSE OF THIS HANDBOOK By reading this handbook and following its
We created this handbook to help parents talk to children ages 11-14 about alcohol.
recommendations, you can substantially reduce the chance that your son or daughter will drink before the age of 21. As you go through the handbook, you may relate to some sections better than others. This is okay because we completely understand and respect that not all families are the same. We strongly encourage you to review the entire handbook. Based on research with thousands of families all over the country, it contains information that will be helpful to you and your family.
During this phase, parents have a single goal: keeping their kids safe and healthy while helping them grow into independent, well-adjusted young adults. From research we know that many kids ages 11-14 or even earlier are being exposed to alcohol. Even if kids this age don’t drink or have access to alcohol, it’s the time in their lives when they are setting their expectations about what alcohol is and does. Alcohol seems so common and
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