What advice do you give your teens about alcohol?

[lateylate]

17 yo dd was talking to God on the big white telephone last night after going out for a meal with friends and drinking wine.

Normally she won't drink more than a few sips of wine with a meal when we've offered it to her and just doesn't really like the taste of alcohol - so it caught us out (and her!)

I don't think she drank much - she said four of them shared two bottles - but she's quite petite and obviously not used to it, so it made her drunk. She was very contrite this morning.

I've advised her next time to make sure she only tops up her own glass, doesn't fill it and pours water into the glass after every glass of wine.

What advice have you given your teens - especially when they go out to pubs/clubs? (She'll be 18 in a few months)

never ever ever get in a car driven by someone who has been drinking
remember that alcohol disinhibits you and you may make unwise choices wrt sexual health
avoid spirits and those drinks that add sugar and flavouring to spirits so you don't kknow what you're drinking
don't leave your drink unattended in a club (actually I didn't tell them this, but I understand it's good advice)
learn to appreciate good beer and wine

TBH, I think partly, she got's to learn from her mistakes! I think we've all be there!

I have't approached the subject with DD yet, as she's only 14, but we are a family of party people! She's often in a situation when DH and I are drinking. That sounds awful! I don't mean we get blind drunk all the time, but she is 'familiar' of drink and already understands the effects of it. We have, for some time, allowed her the odd shandy or a small glass of wine and water with dinner. She doens't like the taste of alcopops, which is great. I can't stand those. They're far too sweet for her and she'd rather have shandy!

So, I'm not sure I'll need to have a sit down with her. I'm sure I'll need to raise my eyes to heaven and say 'that'll teach you' though!

Thanks - I like a party too Maureen and she's seen me rather the worse for wear a few times, so I felt very sorry for her last night - it's such a horrible feeling.

Well, I don't know if it'll help them much. My advice about alcohol to my teens -

Take tiny sips. Sometimes just raise the glass to your mouth and fake sipping.

Have no compunction about lying to drunk people. They don't care about your welfare.

Pretend to be drunk, if necessary.

• assumes they don't want to be drunk and will only drink to fit in - in other words, they're like me. It never occurred to me they might actually aim at drunkeness. I really hope none of them ever do. I've talked a lot about how stupid and dull drunk people are and about how unattractive vomiting, soiling yourself and falling into a coma is...

My dd did the same thing a few yrs ago. She has since avoided wine completely.

I have advised her to keep to low % drinks . She sticks to pear cider or vodka and tonic ,very dilute.

She realises she can't take wine or neat alcohol at all , and she avoids sugary stuff like wkd cos of the calories.

Make sure you only drink out of bottles in a Club, and keep your thumb over the top of the bottle when you're talking.

Never go back to a drink you've left.

I will always come and get you if arrangements go pear-shaped - not saying I won't be angry if you've been silly - but would never leave you stranded.

Best to talk to her once she has recovered from her hangover! Show her the clip on YouTube (and it was in the Nationals) of the Welsh girl with her knickers round her ankles - would she like to look like that?
Mixing drinks is not to be encouraged and drinking a pint of water before she goes out and again when she comes back will help.

My dd could probably quote me on my advice whenever she goes to a party....

Never drink if you're driving home
Do Not let anybody get in your car of they are drunk
If you stay over because you want to drink, make sure you are safe to drive in the morning.

She is 17 and hopefully sensible with alcohol - her licence is too precious to her.