Children and alcohol
Alcohol can cause just as many problems as drugs for young people. They see alcohol on sale all around them in supermarkets, off-licences, pubs and restaurants. They might also see their parents and other adults drinking alcohol. This makes it difficult for them to understand the dangers.
What parents of younger children can do
The following tips might help your child develop a healthy attitude to alcohol as they grow up:
- if your child is curious about alcohol, talk to them about it - tell them about both the negative and social sides of drinking
- make sure young children don't drink alcohol by accident or without your permission - if you have alcohol at home, keep it out of reach
- if you drink, set a good example and drink in moderation - it will help your child develop a sensible attitude to alcohol
- respect the law regarding young people and alcohol - don't give alcohol to your child if they are underage
- make sure the information your child has on alcohol is accurate - for more information visit the Talk to FRANK website.
More information on alcohol can be found at:
What parents of older children can do
It's difficult to know when to let teenagers drink. There is no 'right' age, but try to be there when they start.
Help them learn to drink safely:
- encourage your child to stick to lower-strength brands and not to drink too quickly
- try not to overreact if your child drinks against your wishes, or drinks too much ('too much' is up to you as a parent)
- if your child has drunk excessively, explain how you feel and encourage them to talk about why it happened
- agree rules on alcohol at parties and be around if your child has a party at home
- if your child is going to be drinking, give them starchy food (like bread, pasta and rice) so they won't be drinking on an empty stomach
- remove temptations at home like your own stock of drink (especially spirits)
- make sure your child has a way of getting home safely at night.
What the law says
There are strict laws on alcohol consumption in Northern Ireland. You should check that you are not breaking the law by allowing your child to drink.
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