What advice do you give your teen about not drinking, going along with the crowd, etc.? And how do you get them to listen? How do your enforce whatever "rules" you give them?

I don't know how others handle it. But we talk about these things all the time. Sometimes when there is an accident. (which is a lot of our road~ Country curvy road). We will talk about drinking and driving then. We talk about drugs and cigarettes and the such when we are driving down the road.

Now as far as if they listen. They are only 10 and 7 right now. So hopefully with us talking about it early on and educating them, they will be a good leader and not a follower.


Now the drinking and drugs and stuff like that is not a problem for me to talk to the kids about. Now the Sex talks , I am not looking foward to them.

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I've found that the best way to enforce rules regarding teen behavior, drinking, etc. is to be there when they get home. If your teens know that they are going to have to look at you when they gets home, they're more likely to make sure they're in the right condition to do so. JMHO!

Also my thinking.

We also remind them of a grade/ high school friend that died in drunk driving incident. That child was also intoxicated. I try to bring up his name whenever there is a teen driving accident, like that one. Reminding them that this kid is not around anymore because of his actions. We don't drink very much, so we hope they learn, by seeing us.

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Freedom Stands...Because HEROS Serve

Mary

I agree with talking to them about it early on. I also always told my kids when put in a situation like that stop and think what will mom think when she finds out I did this. (I know a little guilt trip, but so far it has worked) I always also told them as they left for school each day...make good decisions today. That mantra has worked well too. And finally, no matter what happens or wherever you are, DO NOT get in a car with someone who was drinking...I will pick you up from wherever at whatever time of the night with no hassle about it at that time and we will discuss it tomorrow. I would rather pick you up somewhere in the middle of the night than get a call from a police officer telling me you were in an accident.

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*******If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
But if life gives you limes....make margaritas!!!*******

Teenagers are pretty big on bravado. In a lot of cases, if your kids are bold enough to call their friends on things they say that don't seem right, the friends will back down. I can remember just before high school, being with a group of girls, talking about plans.

When asked what I was going to do, I said that statistically, I'd probably have sex and regret it, might try drugs, and get busted, and would probably know a few people who got pregnant, died in car accidents, or otherwise didn't do so well. I can remember things becoming awkwardly silent, but we did stop talking about the things that couldn't happen to us, and did actually talk about what was dangerous. I don't think a lot of teens feel comfortable being honest until someone else has already set an example.

I tell my kids this all the time. I would much rather they call me before they get into a car with a drunk driver, or even if they have been drinking. (Which I hope they wouldn't do). I also tell them you don't have to be drunk or drinking to have a good time. I never drank in highschool. I didn't even really go to parties. But, I hope they will use good judgment when it comes to these types of things..

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I agree with everyone here. Who knew it would be this scary having kids.I don't remember things being this bad when I was their age. My daughter is 15 and my son is 13. We have a very open relationship and talk a lot about their futures. I always tell them that anything they do now somehow affects their future. Both of them play sports and take extra classes. I let them know that good or bad, their choices alter their future. They both want great things out of life, as do I. Being honest about my mistakes and where I am compared to where I could be has helped. I am very thankful that my children talk to me, and so far things are good.I can only hope they stay that way. Not too many years left until they are adults, it just flies by.