By Staff Reports
(Hawaii)– From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.
Teenagers are most likely to take their first drink in the summer. But parents can help to steer them away from it by talking with them, so everyone agrees on ground rules. At HHS’ Administration for Children and Families, Dr. George Askew advises this approach, for younger teens:
“Make sure that they know that you’re there to answer their questions and that there’s no question that’s inappropriate.”
Askew says that agreeing on expectations when a teen is young – and parents setting the right example – helps the teen grow into an identity as a non-drinker.
Askew says the rules and consequences should be clear. But he says that if a teen needs help, like a ride home because of drinking, help should come first and consequences should wait until everyone is calmer.
Learn more at healthfinder.gov.
HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.