Will letting your children see you drink a glass of wine with dinner turn them into alcoholics?
Credit: penywise @ morgueFile | ©penywise @ morgueFile
Responsible Parents Do It, Too!
My daughters are only 3 and 1, but I am fairly certain that they could each correctly identify a beer bottle or a beer can from across the room. Not only do my husband and I drink in front of our children, but we believe that parents have a responsibility to teach and show their children what responsible drinking looks like. Parents who avoid the topic altogether and fail to demonstrate to children what responsible alcohol consumption looks like are those who, in my opinion, are more likely to raise binge drinkers and alcoholics. Experts and research findings are beginning to suggest the same.Dr. Mark Bellis from Liverpool John Moore's University published a study released in May of 2007. In addition to findings about underage drinking and underage purchasing of alcohol, Bellis was also quoted by BBC News as saying about children who drink underage, "The question is: are they learning to drink from their parents in a socially responsible environment, or are they learning behind some bushes in the park, or in a bar where they should not be in the first place? The chances are if they are in the latter position they are learning to binge drink, they are hiding their drinking, they can't talk to their parents about it. Drinking in the home environment, if it is done properly, can teach young people respect for alcohol, and how to consume in moderation."
I couldn't say it any better myself.
I believe that by demonstrating for my children that there is a responsible way to consume alcohol, I am teaching them that alcohol isn't some taboo topic, something I am hiding from them and trying to scare them away from. We don't plan on letting our underage children drink in our presence, and we do plan on discussing with them the dangers of binge drinking and drinking and driving. But, we also plan on showing them that there is nothing wrong with having a glass of wine with dinner or a beer after work. We think that it's our duty as parents to model responsible drinking for our children just as surely as it's our duty to model how to cross the street and how to drive a car.
Comments
resposnsible parent
(Guest)
(Guest)
11/13/2009
yes if we only use druds in moderation is that okay too? If my child is destin to use drugs there is not much i can do about it. Or mabe destin to become an axe murderer..Not much i could have done right?
responsible parent
(Guest)
(Guest)
11/11/2009
Wow i think that this is so stupid. You should not drink in front of your kids. Those children who grow up in a home were there is driking are more likly to do it them selves. Be responsible parents! How do you expect to make responsible judgements when you are buzzed. This article is just an excusse for parents to drink around there kids and not feel bad about it. Well guess what you should!!!
Excellent article! When I was growing up the adults in the house frequently had wine with dinner and there were always margeritas (sp?) for BBQs and 4th of July. Once we got to be teens we were allowed to have a taste of the wine on special occasions if we wanted it. Of course we were also taught about the dangers of drinking to excess and drinking and driving. I know that lots of people disagree, but honestly I believe that this showed me exactly what responsible drinking was. I never had any desire to go out and sneak alcohol or binge drink, even in college or at parties. I think that once the "forbidden fruit" aspect is removed, it becomes much less of a temptation.
This article is very well written! I agree with you 100% on this article!
My mother drank occasionally in front of me and now as an adult I understand that it is okay when you are responsible!
I totally agree: children need to see what responsible drinking looks like. They don't need to see their parents getting drunk, and they don't need to be taught it's completely terrible either. Balance is the key.
How interesting! I never thought of it that way, but you are right!
VERY well done Kelly :) People tend to say drinking and smoking in front of your children will cause them to smoke and drink. I tend to think that if your children are destined to become smokers and drinkers, there isn't a whole lot that you can do to stop it, unless it should become a destructive situation. Great article :)
Well done! I totally agree and have been trying to mitigate the brainwashing that my daughter gets that all alcohol is bad!
I agree. My husband and I only drink wine, and we only drink at home. We don't get drunk nor are we even interested in getting drunk. We never drive drunk. Responsible drinking is legal and shouldn't negatively affect our kids.
I disagree!
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