Teenage drinking has become a huge problem or has it? Thinking back when I was a teenager, there was plenty of parties and drinking. I don’t think we were more responsible back then but there were less drunk driving accidents. This is probably due to the fact that we didn’t have cars. There was maybe two cars to a family. Today when kids turn sixteen, they expect a car by the time they’re 17. The kids now a days go places, they don’t walk around the neighborhood and meet at every corner and park.
Drinking in my house was a normal thing. At dinner there would be wine, and I was allowed to have a glass when I was about 16-17. I was allowed to sip or taste it before that. Alcohol wasn’t a problem with anyone and my grandfather even did a shot of whiskey every night. Today they would probably say he was an alcoholic. We were taught to have a drink, not to get wasted. Italians tend to use alcohol for many ailments, sore tooth- whiskey, cold- brandy, ear ache vodka (2 drops in the ear).
When my kids were growing up, I didn’t not let them sip or taste it. When they were certain ages if they wanted to have a drink when we had a party, they were allowed to. Now would I tell every parent to do this? Absolutely NOT! I knew my kids personality, maybe some wouldn’t be able to handle that and you could be teaching them to drink, not to mention in today’s society, you’ll be arrested. I totally trusted my kids when they went out and there was a rule. If they ever drank or if someone they were with had a drink, by no means should they get in a car. If they did they knew they would be in so much trouble it wouldn’t be funny. The rule was they needed to call!!!!!
Although many people don’t agree with the fact that my kids were allowed to drink in my home from time to time, it did work out for us. When they were out or when they went to college, they didn’t need to drink. It wasn’t a big deal to them. I did hear about all the kids who went on binges.
Today there’s a new product called Soberlink which monitors and promotes accountability.
Soberlink is the very first device that remotely monitors a person’s blood alcohol level without being physically present. Soberlink compiles a sobriety report that transmits from one person’s smart phone to any other phone or email address in the world.All parents need to be proactive with their children today and this product can help you build a trusting relationship with your child. Maybe they’re just starting to go and you will feel more at ease if they carried this. Maybe at first you have them use it quite often. As the trust builds, you have them use it randomly until they create their habit of making the right choices.
I have seen so many of my children’s friends go down the wrong path with drinking and drugs that I think if their parents had this available, maybe some lives could have been saved. We joke about drinking in our house, knowing there was never a problem with anyone, however, this is no laughing matter.
How does Soberlink work?
It takes a photo as the person is breathing into the device, and it sends an immediate picture, blood alcohol level, and GPS coordinate, so it’s a pretty fool-proof way for parents to monitor their child’s drinking when they are out with friends.
Still think it’s intrusive? Check out this video
**This was a sponsored post, however all opinions are my own.**
I agree with you – make alcohol boring, common and every day and kids won’t see it as “dangerous” and something they do to rebel! That is how my BIL and SIL do it.
That being said, if you have a relationship with trust with your teen, this device can be wonderful. I love that it is a camera with the blood alcohol test, so you can tell if they are having a friend breathe into it for them!
Annie- Great minds think alike 🙂 Although I did get an email saying she totally disagreed with me but she didn’t want to post it. I think everyone is going to have their own opinions and each relationship is different with every child. Thanks for coming by!
It’s true: the more forbidden a parent makes something, the more most children want to do it. While my kids don’t always make the best choices, I don’t think too much of the drinking. Most kids do, whether their parents know OR like it.
I think you’re right; if drinking isn’t a big deal to begin with, then kids won’t feel the need to constantly binge in college or into young adulthood.