It’s never too early to start talking to your child about the safe and responsible use of alcohol.

Your child is more likely to be open to hearing what you have to say and to accepting your rules now, while they are a bit younger. Talking openly and setting boundaries now will be helpful all round especially before they reach their teenage years. Structure and clear boundaries help to give your child security and certainty.

Now that you have read some of the facts about alcohol and teenagers, think about your beliefs about underage drinking. Make sure you and your partner (or the other important adults in your child’s life) are on the same page. Our different backgrounds and experiences with alcohol influence the way we talk about it with children.

• It’s useful to be able to explain to your child why you don’t want them to drink.
• Thinking about this before you talk, can help the conversation to be more relaxed and honest.
• It’s also important to remember that as parents you don’t need to be experts. If you don’t know the answer to a question, it’s OK to suggest that you and your child work together to find out the answer.
• Talk about where they can get reliable advice and information about alcohol and search for it together.

Read more from Supporting Family Conversations (Australia)