Preventing Underage Drinking: Tips from Parents Empowered for a Successful Summer Conversation

As summer break approaches and the school year comes to an end, parents are advised to have important conversations with their kids about underage drinking. Health advocates stress the importance of open communication about the dangers of drinking, and Parents Empowered recommends meeting kids where they are at to start the conversation.

It is inevitable that children will be exposed to underage drinking, so parents can get ahead of it by spending the summer engaging in alcohol-free activities with their children. Heidi Dutson from Parents Empowered suggests being intentional about spending quality time with your kids, such as creating a ‘not bummer Summer list’ of fun activities to do together. Taking just 10-15 minutes a day to engage in activities that kids enjoy can provide an opportunity for parents to have open discussions about the risks of underage drinking, peer pressure, and addiction. It is important to address these topics early, as young as age 9, to help children understand the potential consequences of underage drinking.

Building strong bonds with children has been shown to reduce the likelihood of them engaging in underage drinking. Parents can also talk to their kids about mocktails and how to ask for alcohol-free alternatives when in social settings. Utah has one of the lowest rates of teen alcohol use in the country, at 11%, and it is important to continue this trend. It is never too late to have these conversations with kids about the importance of abstaining from underage drinking.

Parents do not have to navigate these conversations alone. By utilizing the resources provided by Parents Empowered, parents can find support and guidance in talking to their kids about the risks of underage drinking. The science is clear – talking openly and honestly with kids about the dangers of underage drinking can help prevent them from engaging in this risky behavior.