Children will experiment, rebel and grow. It is an inevitable part of growing up. Everyone goes through it in his or her own way. The trick for parents is to allow their children to grow in a safe way. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t. One of the first things that most kids do is experiment with alcohol. It’s a rite of passage. It is up to each parent to decide how best to handle this situation but here are a few tips to note if your child has been drinking.
You are the best-placed person to identify if something is wrong with your child. Trust your instincts; if your child is acting unusual or strange, then something may be wrong.
Here are a few common examples of alcohol-related aberrant behavior:
- Mint gum, breath mints or mouthwash is suddenly more common (kids use it to mask the scent of alcohol).
- Your child is hanging out with new friends/people you do not recognize.
- Attendance, grades and overall school performance is dropping.
- Aggressive or rebellious demeanor.
- Requesting more money than usual.
There are other, more obvious hints, too, including being drunk, having bloodshot eyes or you find their hidden stash. In fact, if you notice any of these behavior markers, then it is a good sign that something is wrong.
If your child is drinking, it could entail some serious health risks. MADD documents some fairly consistent studies that illustrate the younger children start drinking, the lower they perform later on in adulthood. No one can tell you how to raise your children but if your child was arrested for drunken driving or a similar charge, you may want to speak to an attorney as soon as possible. You will need the advice of an experienced defense attorney to help navigate you through this time.
