You need to start talking to children about alcohol sooner than you think.
There is a time for everything. But when is the right time to talk to children about alcohol? When they are two years old? Twenty-two? Maybe never? Do you think these are just random numbers? No, these are the answers of real parents from BiH in a survey conducted by the NARKO-NE Association in March 2021 to the question of when is the right time to start talking to children about alcohol.
Children already begin to think differently about alcohol and view it more positively between the ages of 8 and 11. At the same time, during this period, they can understand more complex issues, such as underage drinking, and are open to listening to their parents. Of course, if a child starts asking questions earlier, do not ignore them; answer in words they can understand. In any case, do not wait until your child becomes a teenager to start the conversation on this topic. The earlier you talk to children about alcohol, the greater the chances you will influence their decision about (non)consumption of alcohol. You might think, “That’s not the case with us; they’re too young,” but data from BiH tells a different story. The ESPAD survey showed that nearly 90 percent of first-year high school students reported having consumed alcohol at least once, while one in three got drunk for the first time before the age of thirteen. A 2010 study shows that 20 percent of children consumed alcohol for the first time at age nine, and 12 percent at age ten. Every third child experienced their first drunkenness before their thirteenth birthday.
The key thing parents can do is talk with their kids. Okay, we know—it’s easier said than done. But where to start? When you see an alcohol advertisement on TV or in the city, or a person drinking excessively, use it as an opportunity to start a conversation. Do not go into long explanations or try to scare children with consequences that might happen decades later. The key is not to turn to sensationalistic information, as that can make alcohol seem special and interesting to children. Make sure you are well-informed before the conversation, listen to the children’s questions, and if you don’t know an answer, honestly say so but try to find it. Trust in your influence, because for eight out of ten children, parents have the main influence on their decision to drink or not. Show that you are on their side and that you care about their happiness and well-being. The basic message you send is that you do not approve of alcohol consumption.
