This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of MADD Texas. The opinions and text are all mine.
“Mom, is alcohol a drug?” my eleven-year-old asked me a few months ago. I was surprised by her question. I was surprised that my daughter was even thinking and pondering the issues of drinking, but I shouldn’t have been surprised. She is my oldest and how rapidly she is growing up does shock me on a regular basis. Besides being surprised, I was thankful. I was thankful that she came to me with this question that she had obviously been thinking about.
You see, my husband and I have chosen not to drink alcohol, but we do use it in cooking so they do see alcohol at our house. Some close friends of ours think any alcohol ever is wrong and some drink occasionally. You can see why my children would want some answers.
It was a great opportunity to share our beliefs with my daughter of why we believe becoming drunk is wrong, and how we have had family members that have suffered from over use of alcohol so that we have just chosen not to drink at all.
Toward the end of our discussion she said, “Mom, you know what? I’ve decided that I am never, ever going to drink alcohol or take drugs.” I was so glad that we had this conversation, but I probably would not have thought of bringing it up to my daughter. And afterward I realized it really is time to be talking about these things now while their young and before they are already being faced with the pressures from other places.
So when I was approached about helping MADD spread the word about PowerTalk 21 I was happy to do so. I hope that parents will be motivated to talk to their children about the issue of underage drinking. Below are some resources from MADD that may help you in having this conversation with your child. I found the research very interesting!
1. Power of Parents handbook
2. Seven Tips for connecting with your teen
3. Power of Parents video
4. Steps you can take
5. Spread the word
6. PowerTalk 21
7. Why 21
April 21 is PowerTalk 21 Day – the national day for parents to talk with their teens about alcohol. Research shows parents are the biggest influence on teens’ decisions about alcohol. For more information, visit madd.org/powertalk21
Twitter Party: Please join me Tuesday, April 30 at 1pm CDT (2pm EST) for a Twitter party with @MADDonline and @TapInfluence to talk about how you talk to your kids about alcohol. Use hashtag #PowerofParents to join in and win prizes. Prizes include ten $25 Visa Gift Cards and the MADD Parent Handbook!
