It’s important to consider your own beliefs, values and opinions on alcohol. Your child will learn from your attitudes towards drinking and these views may influence their own feelings about alcohol when they get older. Additionally, depending on where you live, the legal drinking age may play a role in the decision that you make for your child.
The health risks associated with consuming alcohol are significant; excessive drinking can have serious short-term and long-term consequences liver disease, heart damage, brain damage, digestive problems and increased risk of certain cancers. Children whose parents provide them with alcohol before they turn 18 are more likely to experience greater physical and psychological harm as they progress into adulthood than those who do not consume any alcohol until after this age.
If you decide to allow your child to drink, then there are certain guidelines that need to be adhered to: only small amounts of low-strength alcoholic beverages should be provided in supervised settings (for example, at home or in other suitable environments) under strict parental control and supervision; drinks must never be left unattended; drinking games must never be allowed; adequate food should always be provided before any alcohol is consumed; encourage them to drink responsibly by setting boundaries around how much they should drink, as well as engaging in other activities such as talking, laughing, dancing and so forth rather than just focusing on the consumption of alcohol; ensure that non-alcoholic drinks such as water or soft drinks are readily available alongside any alcoholic beverages; lastly monitor your child’s behaviour if they consume alcohol – too much can lead to risky behaviour or put their health at risk so keeping an eye out is important.
Overall it’s important to understand all of the potential implications associated with allowing children access to alcoholic beverages and then weigh these considerations against your own values. Making the right decision for your family isn’t easy but understanding all aspects involved can help make the process simpler.
Content created and supplied by: Healthstyle (via Opera
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