For me, no differences. Not in my house.

I think the real question is what steps were taken to prevent child stupidity and enhance critical thinking skills prior to the day Junior wants to shotgun an Old Style with Dad.

When you close off lines of communication by overreacting you won't know about a lot of things and therefore will be unable to prevent them. This is especially true with girls.

When you close off lines of communication by overreacting you won't know about a lot of things and therefore will be unable to prevent them. This is especially true with girls.

When you close off lines of communication by overreacting you won't know about a lot of things and therefore will be unable to prevent them. This is especially true with girls.

But, its not overreacting and no lines of communication are being cut off


What are you talking about?

Not over yet.

And I dont think saying no to your teenage kids plans to get wasted is overreacting.

This discussion has been around a while. I do agree fully that drinking early on teen or even pre-teen is a bad thing and can be a problem later on. This is when bad drinking habits can and are introduced and reinforced. Not everyone is destined to a life of alcoholism but it can be a huge factor. One specific problem is tolerance. The earlier one drinks a lot the more one needs to reach their same buzzed level. Problem for driving with all the diligence and lower levels for DUI.

One area I step away from this thought some is the European attitude. It is definitely not a academic case study but pretty close. A lot of my colleagues are European. Not really any from UK/IRL but I digress. They are/were raised with a small glass of wine/beer at the sunday dinner table at a young age and there isn't the taboo aspect for them. Now their parents weren't bingers themselves nor did they throw them parties but they seem to be properly adjusted.

I think the US culture of binge drinking either in HS or college is a much bigger problem them many other alcohol aspects.

I'm guessing you're raising a kid who is going to be smart enough not to let you in on her plans to get wasted, if she has any.

That's why I couldnt really answer Chris question. It wouldnt happen.

Although I suppose the mistaken text message could happen

RPB I would really love if you would stop saying things I never said. I'm generally in agreement with you when it comes to alcohol but if your plan is to react the way you've said you would then you can forget about knowing anything because they won't tell you. As your princess ages hopefully you'll see controlling your instinctive reaction will get you more in the long run.