Know What To Say And What Not To Say

It’s true - Moms can make a difference
Moms are the most important influences in a teen’s decision to drink or not to drink alcohol. Middle-school-aged girls view their mothers as wise advisors on all topics including friends, boys, and school. “Serious” conversations regarding such topics as alcohol are not off limits. Yet as young girls transition from middle school to high school, they will naturally begin to assert their independence. Mothers are often unprepared for how this transition will change their relationship - particularly the reaction of many daughters to clam up. Unfortunately, rather than working to keep the lines of communication open, the reaction of many mothers is to give up in distress.

Moms: Start the Conversation Early and Have it Often
It is not too early to start talking with your daughter about the dangers of underage drinking as early as age 11. Frequent conversation with clear messsages and expectations about not drinking should be ongoing at ages 12 and 13, and should continue throughout your daughters’ high school years and beyond as peer pressure to drink increases with age.

"Be careful” and “Don’t Drink and Drive” are not the only messages you need to communicate
Concerned about the risk of being “shut out’ by their daughters, Moms too often communicate a vague message of “be careful” or a promise of amnesty, meaning that moms want their daughters to feel comfortable calling on them should they need help. Moms need to know that while daughters, especially older daughters, say they go out of their way to avoid such discussions with their mothers, an overwhelming number of daughters report they are more comfortable talking about drinking alcohol, drugs, and smoking cigarettes than they are about discussing dieting, dating and sex.