Being a parent is the toughest job ever. Kids are growing up faster and we are getting older, whether we like it or not. It's not easy to make the right decisions. We want:
our kids to like us
our kids to be liked by their peers
our kids and their friends to think we're the cool parents
our kids to be safe when drinking
our kids to enjoy their youth
And if we're really honest with ourselves, we want to recapture some of our own youth.
So it's really not surprising that a significant number of parents in our area think it's alright to either host a party at their homes or party with their kids and their friends. They think that by having the party at their place, they can prevent a potential disaster. They set up the keg, crank the music, collect the keys from all of the drivers, tell them all they can crash in the basement, and give the go-ahead. Or if they are away from home when the underage drinking is going on, they can turn a blind eye and let kids be kids.
According to a report released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), nearly 6 percent of 12- to 14-year-olds (about 700,000 middle school kids) have had an alcoholic drink in the past month. Nearly 45 percent of those obtained the alcohol free at home, including 16 percent who got it from a parent or guardian.
Ultimately, the decision is yours.
Your kids are watching you closely
and will likely follow in your footsteps.
Consider the consequences:
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