It's an unfortunate fact, but usually when a child has had their first sip of alcohol, they are well below the drinking age.  In fact, many kids have experimented with alcohol by the time they are in the eighth grade.  So, how much control do you, as a parent, have over whether or not your child beings drinking and/or continues drinking into their adult lives?  Surprisingly, you have much control over the situation, if you act early.

Obviously you cannot be with your child everywhere they go, and you certainly cannot see things that are happening behind your back.  But, early communication about the effects of alcohol both physically and mentally on their well-being and the fact that it is illegal and the consequences of what can happen if they are caught drinking underage - are some of the things you can do to help keep your child from drinking.

Why is alcohol so prominent in our children's lives today?  It is everywhere, including on television, in restaurants, at the ball game and at home.  It is quite a challenge to be able to shelter your child from seeing alcohol in today's culture.

If your child does have a drinking problem, do you know how to stop it?  Do you know where to turn for professional help?  It's important to be informed, so you can provide the best help available to get your teen back on track.

Every day, three teens die from drinking and driving.  Six more are killed in alcohol-related incidents such as drowning and suicide.

About 5,400 kids younger than 16 take their first sips of alcohol every single day. (Georgetown University's Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth, 2006)

About This Course

This Better Family University Course will teach you effective ways to communicate with your child about alcohol and its effects.   You will be able to give your child the courage to refuse any experimentation that may be brought on by peers.

If your child has a drinking problem, you will learn the telltale signs that they are having a problem.  Most kids will not come to their parents with a drinking problem, and may try to find help on their own or continue to become more and more addicted.  Your child needs your support and efforts to help them kick the habit.

Find out what options there are for kids with a drinking habit.  Kids who drink are more likely to suffer additional physical and emotional problems.  Know these signs and symptoms to help tell if your child has a drinking problem.  Does your child suffer from:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Antisocial personality disorder
• Oppositional defiant disorder

These are serious signs that your child may have a drinking problem.  Learn about these disorders and how to seek help for your child.

You Will Discover...

• How to combat the "binge drinking" mentality of today's youth
• Signs that your child may be having a drinking problem
• Reasons that children will want to experiment with alcohol to begin with
• The other emotional and physical problems that are associated with drinking and how to get help for your child
• Ways to communicate openly with your child about alcohol addiction, whether they have never experimented with it, or if they are addicted to it
• Ways to assess your child's friendships and make changes, if needed
• If family history of drinking may be playing a role in your child's alcohol addiction

You Will Be Able To...

• Seek professional help for your child and know who to turn to
• Communicate with your child about alcohol before they start drinking
• Encourage your child and give support that they need through an alcohol withdrawl program
• Identify the source of your child's alcohol addiction to better help them kick the habit
• Prevent alcohol abuse in your child, if you start earlier enough, by using techniques to get them involved in other activities

Who Should Attend?