Why should I talk to my child about alcohol?

It can be difficult to know when to raise the issue of alcohol with your child, and what to say. Most children are aware of alcohol from an early age, and ideally you should talk to your child about drinking before they start experimenting with alcohol. If you find they've already started, it's important to understand why they might want to.

What you say and do really influences your child, so you're in a good position to make sure they have the facts about alcohol and drinking, and can make sensible choices in the future.

When should I raise the subject?

Try to avoid forcing the issue - it's better to wait until the subject comes up naturally. You could pick up on a newspaper story about alcohol, or something that's on television; or wait until your child asks you questions about drinking.

Do whatever feels comfortable for you and your family, but ideally you should discuss the issue before your child starts experimenting with alcohol or faces pressure from their peers. Be prepared to say NO if you are uncomfortable with party situations and lay down ground rules.

What should I say?

Even young children are aware of what is and isn't acceptable behaviour for adults and children when it comes to alcohol. So you can start talking to them about drinking at quite an early age. Parenting skills aren't taught and there’s no blueprint for bringing up children. Every child and every family is different, and we all communicate in our own way.

You need to aim for a balance: warning them of the dangers, including taking aspirin with alcohol which can intensify alcoholic poisoning, and making them aware of the laws; but also saying that they can enjoy moderate social drinking when they're adults if they choose to.

The important thing is to focus on the facts, and to give your child the knowledge and skills to avoid the dangers associated with alcohol. You could explain the effect of alcohol on the body and mind, and that even small amounts will affect their ability to make rational judgements and sensible decisions.

At what age should I allow my child to drink?

There is no agreed age at which it is considered 'normal' for children to drink. Some parents allow their children to try a little alcohol with them on special occasions; others prefer not to. There is some evidence that shows drinking at an earlier age increases  the possibility of alcohol-related harm later on, but other  studies show young people introduced to drinking in the home, with good parental role models are less likely to binge and more likely to develop moderate drinking habits. But it's up to you to decide whether and how much your child can drink at home.

Whatever you decide, stick to your guns and make sure your child understands why it can be dangerous for young people to drink. They should also know that there are laws restricting the age at which you can buy and drink alcohol. Just because adults are drinking alcohol at home, children should understand they can't automatically do the same.