Model Responsible Alcohol Use

Should you let your teen drink at home? No.

Many parents believe that letting their children drink at home helps them develop a safer relationship with alcohol. However, research suggests that adolescents who are allowed to drink at home tend to drink more heavily outside of the home; and adolescents whose parents have specific rules against underage drinking, and drink responsibly themselves, are less likely to drink heavily elsewhere.

Many parents believe that letting their children drink at home helps them develop a safer relationship with alcohol. However, research suggests that adolescents who are allowed to drink at home tend to drink more heavily outside of the home; and adolescents whose parents have specific rules against underage drinking, and drink responsibly themselves, are less likely to drink heavily elsewhere.

Limit your alcohol use in front of your child. Moderate alcohol consumption is one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men.
Don’t talk about or model drinking as a way to manage stress—for example, don’t say, “Today was terrible. I need some wine!” Instead, demonstrate healthier ways to manage stress, like exercising, talking things over with your partner, or speaking with a mental health professional.
Don’t romanticize drinking stories from your youth. If you choose to share that you drank as a teen, be sure to add that it was a mistake and give examples of negative experiences that resulted from it.
If hosting a party, provide alcohol-free alternatives and arrange for rides for guests who have been drinking.
Never drive when you’re above the legal blood-alcohol limit or get into a vehicle with a driver who is impaired. Designate a sober driver if you plan to drink more than the legal limit for driving.
Explain to your child why alcohol is for adults only. Let them know their brain will continue to develop well into their twenties, so a legal age of 21 helps protect their health.
Use this Family Agreement Form on Avoiding Alcohol and Drugs to establish family rules about underage substance use.
Check out these resources to learn more about modeling responsible alcohol use for your child and parenting to avoid childhood alcohol use.

Raised in a family that misused alcohol and drugs, Danielle is taking steps to create a healthy lifestyle for herself and her son. Watch her message:

Limit your alcohol use in front of your child. Moderate alcohol consumption is one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men.
Don’t talk about or model drinking as a way to manage stress—for example, don’t say, “Today was terrible. I need some wine!” Instead, demonstrate healthier ways to manage stress, like exercising, talking things over with your partner, or speaking with a mental health professional.
Don’t romanticize drinking stories from your youth. If you choose to share that you drank as a teen, be sure to add that it was a mistake and give examples of negative experiences that resulted from it.
If hosting a party, provide alcohol-free alternatives and arrange for rides for guests who have been drinking.

Never drive when you’re above the legal blood-alcohol limit or get into a vehicle with a driver who is impaired. Designate a sober driver if you plan to drink more than the legal limit for driving.
Explain to your child why alcohol is for adults only. Let them know their brain will continue to develop well into their twenties, so a legal age of 21 helps protect their health.
Use this Family Agreement Form on Avoiding Alcohol and Drugs to establish family rules about underage substance use.
Check out these resources to learn more about modeling responsible alcohol use for your child and parenting to avoid childhood alcohol use.