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Parents: What You Say—and What You Do—Matters to Your Kids
St. Patrick’s Day is not only a celebration of the patron saint of Ireland, but it has also become somewhat of an accepted national drinking holiday. So why not take a moment today to think about how our own behavior with alcohol impacts the impressionable, young teens in our lives?
Kids learn the most from their parents, who are the number one influence in the lives of their children—those kids who learn a lot about the risks of drugs at home are up to 50 percent less likely to use than those who do not get those critical health messages from their parents.
Parents please remember that it is not only what you say - but also what you do - that matters in the lives of your children. And it’s important to think about how your own drinking and your “model behavior” may have a direct impact on the choices your teens make for themselves about alcohol and or other drug use.
Sobering Facts:
- Did you know that one in five parents (21 percent) acknowledges that sometimes they drink too much alcohol in front of their children or teen? (Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS)study 2009, sponsored by MetLife Foundation.)
- You might also be surprised to learn that only one-third (34 percent) of parents safeguard alcohol in their own homes, even though they have underage children living with them. (PATS 2009, sponsored by MetLife Foundation.)
Your child’s attitudes will be shaped by how you communicate about alcohol and drug use and the example you set for them in your own family. Please remember that keeping your alcohol safely locked away in your home - and telling the parents of your child’s friends to do the same—can help prevent your child from engaging in risky behavior.
Have a happy, healthy and a safe St. Patrick’s Day!
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Comments
Leslie Scarpa March 17, 2011
A very timely and oh so true reminder of how our children are influenced by our actions as well as words. They may tune us out by not listening, but they are always watching. Thanks for posting.
Lisa Henderson March 20, 2011
Amen! So many parents forget that role modeling first begins with us. Anecdotally, it appears that parents who overindulge have kids who do likewise. These parents are often the first to chalk their kid’s drinking up to,“normal teenage behavior”, often missing opportunities to intervene. Conversely, as a recovering alcoholic, I scared the wits out of my children regarding alcohol and neglected to discuss marijuana. Lesson learned…the hard way!
Wale Robyns March 21, 2011
We own a lot of responsibilities on these children to have them be proud. Recalling that if we are to have a good nation it started from the point of rearing them from day one. So our utteration and practical moral exhibition is the essense of their afterward product. Parents being their children’s MODEL now set another MODEL from their children, for others to be followed - this is a reflection. So, the PARENTS should say it and do it. Knowing their friends, communication and using discernment to delve out whatever good or evil luck in their mind and help them amicably, think are fairly better. Thank you for this TIMELY ESSUE.
P March 21, 2011
@Lisa Henderson “I scared the wits out of my children regarding alcohol and neglected to discuss marijuana” What are your kids going to think when they have a drink for the first time and have fun? I’ll tell you. They’re going to think “wow all that stuff my mom said was BS. ” Since you “neglected to discuss marijuana” what will they think when you try to tell them it’s bad? Alcohol is a legal drug when you are of age and can be enjoyable if used responsibly.
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