Sit Down and Chat.

Because it’s important to be clear and consistent, it makes sense to think through a conversation with your teen. Think ahead of questions they may ask and:

Be open, friendly, and comfortable

Don’t accuse your teen of any wrongdoing if you don’t have any proof. Remember, almost 7 out of 10 teens in Hawaii don’t drink, so chances are your teen is not drinking. Simply let them know you want to talk about alcohol because you think it’s important and because you care.

Have your facts ready
Be ready with information about why underage drinking is dangerous. If you haven’t already, read the facts section so you can understand the risks of underage drinking.

Have paper and pencil ready to write your rules

After talking with your teen about your expectations, write down your family rules with your children’s help.

Encourage questions

Part of being honest and direct with your children is encouraging them to ask you questions. Let them know that they should always come to you first if they have questions about alcohol, health, or life in general.

Things to consider:

• Avoid stories of your own drinking when you were younger
• Don’t assume everyone is drinking – it may make your teen feel like they’re the only ones choosing not to drink
• Point out how your children make you proud, including their choice to not drink
• Being a teen is stressful, try to encourage your children to talk to you about the stress they have and find healthy ways to cope