{"id":2489,"date":"2025-02-03T08:31:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-03T08:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beta11.technodreamcenter.com\/360youthservices.org\/?p=2489"},"modified":"2025-11-18T09:12:44","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T09:12:44","slug":"how-to-establish-alcohol-use-rules-and-have-them-followed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beta11.technodreamcenter.com\/360youthservices.org\/how-to-establish-alcohol-use-rules-and-have-them-followed\/","title":{"rendered":"The Power of Choice \u2013 Middle School Edition February 2025, Issue 3"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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How to Establish Alcohol-Use Rules (And Have Them Followed)<\/strong><\/h1>\nMiddle school is an infamously difficult time \u2013 and not just for students. Parenting a middle schooler can be quite the challenge. Sometimes it feels like your words go entirely unheard, or if they do listen, they want to do exactly the opposite of what you say. So, what can you do to make sure your kids not only listen when you talk about underage drinking, but also follow your family\u2019s rules about alcohol use? Keep reading to learn about how you can establish and talk about rules with your student so that they understand and listen to them.\n\n
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How do I establish no-alcohol-use rules?<\/strong><\/h2>\nIt\u2019s important to discuss your family\u2019s rules surrounding alcohol use with your child. To avoid confusion, take the time to thoroughly explain your opinions and expectations surrounding alcohol. While it\u2019s necessary to be firm in your stance that your child shouldn\u2019t drink, be clear that this rule isn\u2019t about \u201casserting your power\u201d or restricting your child\u2019s personal freedom \u2013 it\u2019s about keeping them safe. Studies have shown<\/a> that parenting styles that focus on restricting freedoms and emphasizing obedience fail to support children\u2019s need for autonomy, causing them to potentially turn to alcohol and other risky behaviors to regain control. Instead, show your child that you are coming from a place of kindness and are interested in hearing their side, too.\n\n
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How do I choose the consequences?<\/strong><\/h2>\nDuring these conversations, it can be helpful to try to include your student in establishing the specific consequences for breaking your family\u2019s rule to not drink underage. Framing the consequences as a discussion rather than a lecture can help build mutual respect, understanding, and give your child a necessary sense of autonomy. In fact, research supports<\/a> that parents who are open to negotiating rather than demanding obedience have psychologically healthier children. After laying out the consequences that are right for your family, be consistent with asserting and enforcing them.\n\n
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How do I effectively look out for alcohol use?<\/strong><\/h2>\nMonitoring for alcohol use is a very important part of preventing underage drinking, but it only works if another component comes with it: warmth. Parental warmth refers to how loving, caring, and involved parents are in their children\u2019s lives. Research shows<\/a> that parenting styles focused on monitoring with no or low warmth may actually increase<\/em> the likelihood of youth using alcohol and other substances. On the other hand, parenting styles that focus on creating structure in a warm and autonomy-supporting way were shown to be effective in preventing underage use. Effective monitoring focuses on building trust with your child and cultivating an environment where your child is comfortable voluntarily sharing where they are going and what they are up to. You are looking out for your child because you love and care about them, and you can reflect those feelings in the way that you monitor for use.\n\n
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Prevention at Your Child\u2019s School<\/strong><\/h2>\nCheck out the latest Power of Choice Middle School vaping campaign poster! Students will see these posted, along with newsletters, throughout their hallways, reminding them that their health matters. Each sign provides facts and information on the potentially harmful effects that vaping can have on their growing bodies.\n\nYou can view the materials on our website here<\/a>.\n\n<\/div>\n
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Avoiding vapes can help your zzz\u2019s. Vaping nicotine is linked to sleep problems.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Additional Resources<\/strong><\/h2>\n