The last few weeks I shared with you the first few episode of my new Today Show parenting web series. In case you missed it, here is the first one about mental health struggles, and the second episode, on teaching teens about consent.
Each episode I addressed a big issue, and how to tackle the tough topics we all have been struggling with (and in some cases avoiding) talking about with our kids.
This week’s episode is an important one for parents because it is something that many teens face high school and college (an unfortunately even in middle school) – binge drinking. How can we protect our kids from the consequences that come with binge drinking and encourage them to make good choices when they get out on their own?
The answer: talk with them about it. In this episode, the amazing Anna Whiston Donaldson from An Inch of Gray and I talk about binge drinking and her concerns about how dangerous it could be for her daughter, who is leaving for college soon. And how to balance that with her desire to have a smooth and positive relationship with her almost adult child.
This one isn’t to be missed. I encourage you to watch with your teenagers as well and open up the discussion about binge drinking with your kids.
We know that our kids will (or already have) face these decisions. Whether it has been at a party or indirectly through images they have seen of peers on social media, it’s something that affects many teens and young adults. Many of us have experienced it ourselves in college or high school. We’ve seen first hand how smart people make decisions with hard consequences. It’s impossible to be sure our kids won’t do the same, but we owe them something. The truth. We can’t ask them to guess what we think, or assume that they already know.
Say the Words.
Our teens will have lots of ideas and thoughts and voices in their minds as they make these decisions. We have to make sure that OUR voices are in there too.
Tell Them…
The medical research is clear about alcohol and the teen brain. Any alcohol consumed as a teen has real risks because their brains are still developing.
Need more resources?
Try the great stuff over at Responsibility.org
Have you talked to your kids about binge drinking? Now would be a great time to start. Watch this video with them.
Thanks so much to all of you for watching. Will you share this? All of our teens need to talk about this with the adults in their lives.
In case you need extra help tackling awkward or challenging conversations with your kids, I also have resources to guide you through talking about tough topics with your kids, like my new ecourse.
All my best,
Doctor G
