Parental Responsibility
Parental Responsibility

Setting an Example

Your kids look up to you as their role model.

Whatever you say to your children about avoiding alcohol, they will also be observing how you use alcohol. They take their cues from you, so:

  • While you may want to pour yourself a drink after a long day at work, it’s better not to give your kids the message that alcohol is a problem solver by coming home and saying out loud that you’ve had a bad day and need a drink.
  • If your kids are in the room or nearby, use alcohol moderately; don’t appear intoxicated in front of your kids. Don’t let them overhear stories of a night out drinking with your girlfriends or buddies.
  • Be conscious of what you’re posting online, especially if your kids can see what you’re posting. Memes about alcohol as “Mommy juice” or “This is why Daddy drinks” can make alcohol sound like a cool joke that kids want to be in on.
  • If you’re having a family dinner at a restaurant, have conversations in front of your kids about who is driving home after a parent has been drinking. Let your kids see that you will never drink and drive or ride in a car with a driver who has been drinking.
  • When you are entertaining adults and kids are in the house, let kids see that you are including alcohol-free beverages and plenty of food, and that you are making sure everyone has a safe ride home.
Dad and daughter sitting on the grass and talking to each other.

94% of PA parents believe it's their responsibility to talk with their kids about alcohol

But nearly half (48%) don’t have a great deal of confidence in their ability to influence whether or not their child drinks alcohol.

Tip: Learning the facts will make you feel more at ease starting conversations with your kids about alcohol. And 8 in 10 kids say their parents are the biggest influence on their decision to drink or not drink.

Dear Parent

Be patient and take small steps. The topic is complex and you don’t want to overwhelm your child.