For many parents, bringing up the subject of alcohol is no easy matter. Your young teen may try to dodge the discussion, and you yourself may feel unsure about how to proceed. To boost your chances for a productive conversation, take some time to think through the issues you want to discuss before you talk with your child. Also, think about how your child might react and ways you might respond to your youngster's questions and feelings. Then choose a time to talk when both you and your child have some "down time" and are feeling relaxed.

Keep in mind, too, that you don't need to cover everything at once. In fact, you're likely to have a
greater impact on your child's drinking by having a number of talks about alcohol use throughout his or her adolescence. Think of this discussion with your child as the first part of an ongoing conversation.

And remember, do make it a conversation, not a lecture! Following are some topics for discussion:
Your Child's Views About Alcohol. Ask your young teen what he or she knows about alcohol and what he or she thinks about teen drinking. Ask your child why he or she thinks kids drink. Listen carefully without interrupting. Not only will this approach help your child to feel heard and respected, but it can serve as a natural "lead-in" to discussing alcohol topics.
Important Facts About Alcohol. Although many kids believe they already know everything about alcohol, myths and misinformation abound. Here are some important facts to share:

• Alcohol is a powerful drug that slows down the body and mind. It impairs coordination; slows reaction time; and impairs vision, clear thinking, and judgment.

• Beer and wine are not "safer" than hard liquor. A 12-ounce can of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, and 1.5 ounces of hard liquor all contain the same amount of alcohol and have the same effects on the body and mind.

• On average, it takes 2 to 3 hours for a single drink to leave the body's system. Nothing can speed up this process, including drinking coffee, taking a cold shower, or "walking it off."

• People tend to be very bad at judging how seriously alcohol has affected them. That means many individuals who drive after drinking think they can control a car-but actually cannot.

• Anyone can develop a serious alcohol problem, including a teenager.

The "Magic Potion" Myth. The media's glamorous portrayal of alcohol encourages many teens to believe that drinking will make them popular, attractive, happy, and "cool." Research shows that teens who expect such positive effects are more likely to drink at early ages. However, you can help to combat these dangerous myths by watching TV shows and movie videos with your child and discussing how alcohol is portrayed in them. For example, television advertisements for beer often show young people having an uproariously good time, as though drinking always puts people in a terrific mood. Watching such a commercial with your child can be an opportunity to discuss the many ways that alcohol can affect people-in some cases bringing on feelings of sadness or anger rather than carefree high spirits.

In talking with your child about reasons to avoid alcohol, stay away from scare tactics. Most young teens are aware that many people drink without problems, so it is important to discuss the consequences of alcohol use without overstating the case. For example, you can talk about the dangers of riding in a car with a driver who has been drinking without insisting that "all kids who ride with drinkers get into crashes." Some good reasons that teens shouldn't drink:

• You want your child to avoid alcohol. Be sure to clearly state your own expectations regarding your child's drinking and to establish consequences for breaking rules. Your values and attitudes count with your child, even though he or she may not always show it.

• To maintain self-respect. In a series of focus groups, teens reported that the best way to persuade them to avoid alcohol is to appeal to their self-respect-letting them know that they are too smart and have too much going for them to need the crutch of alcohol. Teens also pay attention to ways in which alcohol might cause them to do something embarrassing that might damage their self-respect and important relationships.

• Drinking is illegal. Because alcohol use under the age of 21 is illegal, getting caught may mean trouble with the authorities. Even if getting caught doesn't lead to police action, the parents of your child's friends may no longer permit them to associate with your child. If drinking occurs on school grounds, your child could be suspended.

• Drinking can be dangerous. One of the leading causes of teen deaths is motor vehicle crashes involving alcohol. Drinking also makes a young person more vulnerable to sexual assault and unprotected sex. And while your teen may believe he or she wouldn't engage in hazardous activities after drinking, point out that because alcohol impairs judgment, a drinker is very likely to think such activities won't be dangerous.

• You have a family history of alcoholism. If one or more members of your immediate or extended family has suffered from alcoholism, your child may be somewhat more vulnerable to developing a drinking problem. Your child needs to know that for him or her, drinking may carry special risks.

How to Handle Peer Pressure. It's not enough to tell your young teen that he or she should avoid alcohol-you also need to help your child figure out how. What can your daughter say when she goes to a party and a friend offers her a beer? (See "Six Ways to Say No to a Drink.") Or what should your son do if he finds himself in a home where kids are passing around a bottle of wine and parents are nowhere in sight? What should their response be if they are offered a ride home with an older friend who has been drinking?

Brainstorm with your teen for ways that he or she might handle these and other difficult situations, and make clear how you are willing to support your child. An example: "If you find yourself at a home where kids are drinking, call me and I'll pick you up-and there will be no scolding or punishment." The more prepared your child is, the better able he or she will be to handle high-pressure situations that involve drinking.

Six Ways to Say No to a Drink
At some point, your child will be offered alcohol. To resist such pressure, teens say they prefer quick "one-liners" that allow them to dodge a drink without making a big scene. It will probably work best for your teen to take the lead in thinking up comebacks to drink offers so that he or she will feel comfortable saying them. But to get the brainstorming started, here are some simple pressure-busters-from the mildest to the most assertive.
1. No thanks.
2. I don't feel like it-do you have any soda?
3. Alcohol's NOT my thing.
4. Are you talking to me? FORGET it.
5. Why do you keep pressuring me when I've said NO?
6. Back off!

Mom, Dad, Did You Drink When You Were a Kid?
This is the question many parents dread-yet it is highly likely to come up in any family discussion of alcohol. The reality is that many parents did drink before they were old enough to legally do so. So how can one be honest with a child without sounding like a hypocrite who advises, "Do as I say, not as I did"?

This is a judgment call. If you believe that your drinking or drug use history should not be part of the discussion, you can simply tell your child that you choose not to share it. Another approach is to admit that you did do some drinking as a teenager, but that it was a mistake-and give your teen an example of an embarrassing or painful moment that occurred because of your drinking. This approach may help your child better understand that youthful alcohol use does have negative consequences.

How to Host a Teen Party
Agree on a guest list-and don't admit party crashers.
Discuss ground rules with your child before the party.
Encourage your teen to plan the party with a responsible friend so that he or she will have support if problems arise.
Brainstorm fun activities for the party.
If a guest brings alcohol into your house, ask him or her to leave.
Serve plenty of snacks and non-alcoholic drinks.
Be visible and available-but don't join the party.