How to talk to your child about alcohol? Let's talk about this important topic!

These days, our little ones, especially at school age, that is, during high school, are sometimes tempted to use alcohol due to the influence of friends or out of curiosity. In fact, we see people resorting to these things even at an age when the law prohibits them. But parents, you have a lot of power to keep your child away from such things. Therefore, it is very important to talk to your children about this alcohol from a young age, as they gradually grow up.

How do you explain this to the youngest children? (Around 3-5 years old)

It's really hard for kids this age to understand a lot about alcohol, isn't it? They want simple things. But you can set a good example . Your child will learn a lot from the way you use alcohol responsibly (or not at all), stay active, and eat healthy foods. Imagine if your child asked you a question about alcohol? Then answer simply and truthfully . You don't need to go into great detail, just say it in a way that they can understand. For example, you can say something simple like, "Those aren't good for little kids, son/daughter, they can hurt your stomach."

Shall we talk to children between the ages of 4 and 7?

The best way to talk to children this age is to bring up the topic when it naturally comes up . For example, imagine you're watching TV. An alcohol commercial comes on. At that point, you could ask your child, "Son/daughter, do you know what happens to your body when you drink this drink?" Keep the information very simple . You could say things like:

• "When you drink these, both your body and mind work a little slower."
• "It becomes difficult to think clearly, and you may even lose control when walking."
• "It becomes difficult to accurately perceive things like how deep the water is or how close a vehicle is coming on the road."
• "Besides, your mouth stinks!"

Sometimes your child may ask, "Why is it okay for mom/dad to drink and not for me?" Then explain: "Little ones' bodies are still developing. Just like a small plant. Drinking these things can damage their developing bodies and brains. There is a high chance of them becoming addicted to these things when they grow up. That's why these things are not good for little kids."

Let's tell a little more about children between the ages of 8 and 11.

Children this age can understand the effects of alcohol, that is, the damage it can do to the body and mind, in a little more detail. They are a little older now, and they are starting to think about things logically.

You can talk about the short-term effects of alcohol. These are:

• Things you see, things you hear, and your body's balance (coordination) become confused. You can't see or hear properly, you can't walk properly, and you may even fall.
• Emotions and feelings can suddenly change. You may feel sad without feeling sad, angry without feeling angry, or overly happy.
• The ability to choose right from wrong, that is, the ability to judge (impaired judgment), is lost. This increases the risk of accidents, drowning, other risky activities , and fights.
• Bad breath.
• The next day, you experience things like a severe headache, a feeling of weakness, and a feeling of wanting to vomit, which is called a hangover .

Also, talk about the long-term effects of drinking alcohol over a long period of time . These are the really dangerous consequences:

• The liver, one of the most important organs in our body, is severely damaged.
• You lose your appetite and your body doesn't digest food properly.
• I often get stomach problems, sometimes gastritis.
• There is a high risk of damage to the heart and brain, which can lead to conditions like heart disease and stroke.
• Over time, memory gradually fades, and it becomes difficult to learn new things.

Children this age often want to be with their friends and do the same things they do . That's normal. However, teach your child the importance of thinking for themselves and making their own decisions. Encourage them by saying things like, "You don't have to do something just because everyone else is doing it, son/daughter. You have to have the strength to choose what feels right for you and what's good for your body."

What do we tell our young children between the ages of 12 and 17?

This is the time to be a good listener . Keep the door open for conversation with your child. Continue to be a good role model . Even though it may seem like they're not listening to what you're saying, studies have shown that parental example and conversation really do influence young children's behavior.

Talk to them about the good reasons to stay away from alcohol. Here are some scientifically proven reasons:

• If you get used to drinking alcohol at a young age, you are more likely to develop alcohol-related problems when you grow up. That means you can become addicted to alcohol.
• Young people who use alcohol are more likely to become sexually active early and engage in unprotected sex , which can lead to problems such as sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies.
• Young children who use alcohol can have problems with schoolwork . They experience memory loss, decreased attention span, and a loss of interest in learning.
• Alcohol can impair athletic performance . It can lead to loss of strength, speed, and balance.
• It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to consume alcohol. Anyone caught will face punishment.
• Alcohol can cause long-term changes in the brain . Especially at a young age, when the brain is still developing, alcohol can disrupt that development.

Lecturing and using scare tactics about alcohol can turn young people away from you. So don't do that.

However, make it clear that you do not want them to use alcohol at all . If anyone in your family has had problems with alcohol, that is, if there is a `family history of alcohol problems`, tell your child about it as well. This may put them at a higher risk of developing an alcohol problem too.

Young children want to be accepted and liked by their peers. This is understandable. So, talk to them about how to behave in different situations and prepare them for them. For example:

• "Imagine you're at a party and a friend is trying to get you to drink alcohol. What do you say? You can say, 'I don't want to, I'm not drinking this.' Or you can say, 'No, man, I have to go to work early the next morning.'"
• "What do you do if the friend who is going to take you home is drunk? Never get in a car with someone who is drunk. At that time, you can call me, and I will come and pick you up."

Talk about these things together. Tell your child that you can call or text them anytime, that you will come and pick them up, and that you will not lecture or punish them . Building this trust is very important.

What else can we do as parents?

Parents are also great role models for young children. So, be a good role model by using alcohol responsibly (or not using it at all), not using alcohol as a solution to stress, and never drinking and driving. Regular honest conversations with your children will help them make good decisions.

At the same time, as parents , you need to be vigilant and set rules . If your child tries alcohol, ask them to be honest with you about it. If you think your child is using alcohol and not telling you, don't ignore it. If you think the problem is serious, your child's doctor can help.

Here are some more things you can do:

• Know exactly where your children are and who they are with .
• Have a way to contact your child. They should have their phone with them, and it should be turned on. Also, keep their friends' numbers or the number of the house they're going to with you.
• Get to know the parents of your children's friends and find ways to connect with them. Working together with other parents makes it easier to protect your children.
• Talk to older children and young children about your views and values ​​about alcohol. Make it clear that you do not want your child to use alcohol.
• Tell your children how often they need to be notified, that is, to ``check in'', when they are away from home.
• If your young child is driving, make it clear that it is never okay to drink any amount of alcohol and drive . You could also make a "contract" that you both sign, stating that no one in the family will drink and drive. Make it clear that if you break that contract, your child will lose their driving privileges.

Finally, a few things to remember

Okay, so I hope you've understood some important points from what we've talked about. Simply put, if we want to save our children from the dangers of alcohol, we need to talk to them openly and honestly .

It's best to start that conversation at a young age.

As your child grows, explain things in an age-appropriate manner. It's also important to be a good role model and to express your opinions to them in a loving, understanding, but firm way . Remember, you are your child's greatest strength! You can guide them in the right direction.

` Alcohol, children, parents, drug prevention, youth, health, communication