by Adelani Aderemi

Created on: July 08, 2009

Teenage is the period in life when one has all the energy, the zeal and determination to try everything fun and explore life itself to the fullest. Parents need to be very close to their children at this period without crowding them. It is a delicate period which parents themselves must be prepared for, though, quite often, many parents find themselves in the middle of teenage problems before they realize their children have grown.

If the parents themselves consume alcohol, it is a tricky thing to talk to teenage children about alcohol. Morally, the parent would not have a ground to counsel the child against alcohol consumption but they could be cautioned to drink in moderate measures. So what quantity is moderate for a child? This is the problem my own father faced when he noticed how much alcohol I was guzzling. I sensed it was making him very uncomfortable but in as much as he himself was drinking, he could not stop me.

It is easier for parents who do not drink because they would be morally confident to talk straight about the damaging effects of alcohol to the body. Here below are my suggestions:

Be Factual

There are studies even with good images, video clips and statistics describing the damages alcohol cause to human internal organs. The parent may avail themselves with these facts before talking to their teenage children; it may help the youngsters to see that they are not just being scared from catching fun. For those who are Christians, the issue might be simplified if the Biblical stand on the issue of alcohol is explained to them and the parents themselves walk the talk.

Be Friendly

Even with all the facts, it does not help to be harsh and confrontational. Parents must cultivate and sustain friendly rapport with their teenage children such that communication will become very easy. Even when the children have started guzzling alcohol parents should not expect that they will automatically stop once they have a talk. It takes time for them to digest the information and begin to adjust. Pending this time, they need all the help and love. Love endures all things.

Be Prayerful

Unless the Lord builds the house says the Psalmist in Ps 127:1, the builders work in vain Training children is like building a house in this context. Children are gifts from God put in the care of parents. So all input to this project of training up children must be committed into the hands of God who gives growth. Parents need to be very prayerful. There are

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