Teen Alcohol Abuse - Talk to Your Children

WISH TV
The link above is to a story on teen alcohol abuse.  It is a story every parent should read.

In the story, a young girl named Savannah Sturm relates her spiral into alcohol abuse, and the lessons she has learned from it.  She brings out a very important lesson when she said that parents need to talk to their kids and teens need to understand the consequences of drinking.

Randy Miller, Executive Director of Drug Free Marion County, gives parents some sound advice.  “They need to make sure their kids understand their views, their attitudes, their beliefs and I think even beyond that I think what parents need to do is have some discussions with their kids, frank discussions with their kids about these potential situations that may come up and what are we going to do.”

Parents cannot take their children for granted, and must take their responsibility for the safety of their children seriously.  That sometimes means  talking to your child when you feel uncomfortable, even of you think your child will be upset with you.  As the adult, you are supposed to be able to look ahead as see the consequences of inaction.

Regret is a powerful emotion, especially for parents.  Don't put yourself in the position of experiencing it.