Talking about drinking with your children

Your child will learn about alcohol at school, by observing people and probably by trying it for themselves. You are a very important influence on how your child drinks or doesn't in the future. So follow these top tips for parents:

• If your child is curious about alcohol, talk naturally about it
• Make sure any information they have about alcohol is accurate
• Let them know about both the negative and positive sides of drinking
• If you choose to drink, drink moderately, as this helps them develop a responsible attitude
• With older children, agree the rules and stick to them
• Always know where your child is and what they're up to
• If your child drinks against your wishes or drinks too much - stay calm and talk about it, rather than simply accusing or lecturing.