Putting It Off
Having The Talks
As parents, we have the ability to influence outcomes — because when parents talk, kids listen. In fact, three quarters of youth surveyed in North Carolina think that parents talking more to their children about the dangers of underage drinking would help stop the problem. 1
Start having conversations with your children before you think they’ll be exposed directly to alcohol. And once is not enough — ongoing, age-appropriate reinforcement is crucial.
10-12
Years Old
Younger kids — pre-teens and tweens — are typically more curious about alcohol, and this is a great time to have an honest conversation about what alcohol is and the dangers associated with it.
13-17
Years Old
Once kids become teenagers, curiosity can transform into pushing boundaries: “Why can’t I?” They know what alcohol is, and now they need to know why they shouldn’t use it, even when many of their friends are.
18-20
Years Old
By the time they get to college, underage drinking is unfortunately very present in their lives and culture. Focus on the implications their actions can have on things like future job opportunities.
