As part of Av-og-til’s campaign to promote mindful drinking during festive occasions, the organization draws attention to the importance of moderating alcohol consumption, particularly in the context of family gatherings and Christmas celebrations. In Norway, around 90,000 children grow up with a parent who drinks excessively, a situation that can become more pronounced during the holiday season. Even parents who typically don’t drink problematically might find themselves consuming more alcohol during festive gatherings.

A recent Ipsos survey for Av-og-til shows that half of the Norwegian population believes there is too much drinking in the presence of children during Christmas. Most children, when asked, prefer adults to drink no more than one or two glasses of alcohol in their company.

Ragnhild Kaski, Secretary-General of Av-og-til, emphasizes that children are often aware of changes in adult behavior due to alcohol before the adults themselves. Behaviors that adults might perceive as positive, like increased laughter or louder talking, can make children feel insecure and uneasy.

The organization stresses the importance of creating positive memories for children during the holidays and provides guidelines for responsible alcohol consumption:

1. Limit alcohol to a maximum of two glasses when with children.
2. Be conscious of the quantity of alcohol purchased.
3. Agree on drinking norms with other adults when children are around.
4. Remember to consider the next day’s activities and not let alcohol disrupt them.
5. Understand that children are impacted by adults’ altered behavior due to alcohol.
6. Be particularly mindful during holidays to ensure children have a magical and memorable Christmas, free from the adverse effects of adult alcohol consumption.

Find more from Av-og-til (Norway, December 2023)

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