Start Talking Before They Start Drinking: Activities to Facilitate Communication

Sample Interview Questions

1. What three words would you use to describe yourself? To describe me?
2. Who are some of your role models? What do you admire about these people?
3. What scares or concerns you? What makes you happy?
4. What are your future goals?
5. How would drinking alcohol get in the way of your future goals?
6. What would you do if you were offered alcohol at a party?
7. What would you do if the person responsible for driving you has been
drinking alcohol?
8. What would you really like to ask me but are too afraid to talk about?

Think/Say/Feel

Parents

Use the enclosed pages to imagine that you are having a dialog with your child. This exercise will prepare you to speak openly with your child and will help you to anticipate his or her reaction to your ideas. Be as realistic as possible.

• Write down what you would think, say, and feel while having a conversation about underage drinking with your child.
• Now write down what you imagine your child is going to think, say and feel.
• Share your answers with your child.

Think/Say/Feel

Children

Talking with your parents about underage drinking can be challenging. This exercise will prepare you to speak openly to your mom or dad about underage drinking and will help you to anticipate what your parent’s reaction might be. Be as realistic as possible.

• Write down what you would think, say, and feel while having a conversation about underage drinking with your parent.
• Now write down what you imagine your mom or dad is going to think, say and feel.
• Share your answers with your parent.

Family Rules

Many families give mixed messages to their children about underage
drinking. This exercise will help you share your beliefs and family values about alcohol use and allow you to create a set of rules. Are there differences between your spoken and unspoken rules about underage drinking? Are
there differences between your perception of these rules and your child’s
perception? How can you eliminate any inconsistencies? Write out your answers to these questions independently and then discuss them together.

What the Parent Thinks:

Spoken Rule:

Unspoken Rule:

What the Child Thinks:

Spoken Rule:

Unspoken Rule:

Now Write a Clear Set of Family Rules About Alcohol Consumption.

What the law is:

What our family rule is:

What behavior we expect:

Conclusion

Let your children know how important they are to you. Be honest with them about the facts and consequences of underage drinking. Your ongoing involvement, care, and concern will help your children to stay safe.

Support your children’s future — keep them alcohol free.

www.stopalcoholabuse.gov

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Human Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Family.samhsa.gov
A public education Web site, developed to support the efforts of parents and other caring adults to promote mental health and prevent the use of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs among 7- to 18-year-olds.

SAMHSA’s National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information

www.ncadi.samhsa.gov
NCADI is the Nation’s one-stop resource for information about substance abuse prevention and addiction treatment.The Anti-Drug

TheAntiDrug.com

www.theantidrug.com
serves as a drug prevention information center, and a supportive community for parents to interact and learn from each other.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse
and Alcoholism

www.niaaa.nih.gov
NIAAA provides leadership in the national effort to reduce alcohol-related problems by conducting and supporting research; coordinating and collaborating
with other research institutes and Federal Programs; and translating and disseminating research findings to health care providers, researchers, policymakers, and the public on alcohol-related issues

Sites for Kids

www.freevibe.com

www.nacoa.org

www.al-anon.alateen.org

www.thecoolspot.gov