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New School Year, Same Expectations:
3 Keys to Communicating with Kids About Underage Drinking

With summer winding down, it’s likely that parents and kids are turning their focus to the start of a new school year. As students get ready to head back to school, it’s time to talk to them about making smart choices, including how to deal with peer pressure to drink underage. With all the changes that can come with starting a new school year, some things should remain the same, including your expectations.

Silver Eagle Distributors would like to remind parents about the Family Talk About Drinking program, a free parent guide designed to encourage open and honest communication between parents and their children. Programs like this one, paired with education and effective law enforcement, are essential to preventing underage drinking.

Remaining consistent with your kids will help ensure that good habits are formed. Whether your kids are just starting middle school or their first year of college, it’s never too late to start setting expectations and establishing commitments. Below are three tips to communicate with your kids and help maintain a consistent understanding of your expectations:

• Be ready. Prepare yourself – you and your children will experience new things, together and apart. Stay strong in your expectations and maintain consistency in communication and connection. Reiterated expectations are the constant that helps kids get through times of change.
• Get set. Set clear boundaries and know ahead of time how you and your spouse or partner will address challenges to your expectations. Hold your children accountable; ensure that there’s clarity between you and your spouse or partner and your children.
• Let go. After you have worked with your children to establish clear expectations, trust that they understand your stance. Opportunities will arise and test boundaries. Ask open-ended questions and reiterate your expectations to help prepare your kids to tackle what’s ahead.

A parent’s top priority is the safety of their children. As they grow up, children and teenagers look to you for guidance on how to navigate our complex world. There’s no single “right way” to talk about alcohol, underage drinking and responsible choices – what’s most important is to start the conversation. For more on how to get started and additional tips to help navigate back-to- school season, visit www.FamilyTalkAboutDrinking.com.