Q: “Are 9- to 13-year olds using alcohol?”
A: Actually, No.

Most kids this age are not using alcohol. However, they are at an age where several transitions lay in front of them. They are approaching adolescence and are experiencing great physical and emotional changes as a result. Their social lives are changing as they become more involved with their peers and prepare to make or make the move from elementary to middle school. And during these changes, statistics show they become more vulnerable to becoming involved in risky behaviors, such as underage alcohol use.

We have the power to give our kids the facts and guidance that they need to help them steer clear of alcohol. Our children still consider us the number one sources of information. Let's take advantage of the fact that we still have a strong influence over our children.

You may be thinking, “My son is too smart to try alcohol—he doesn’t need to hear about it from me,” or even, “My daughter is too young for me to even be concerned about her using alcohol.” But the truth is our children know a good deal about the harms of underage alcohol use and are probably not using alcohol.

However, statistics show that as children get older they are more easily influenced by their peers and more likely to try alcohol, regardless of its harmfulness. So now is the perfect time to reinforce the good behaviors our children already exhibit.

Don’t worry. I’m not about to suggest to you that you do anything time consuming or all that “special.” Just listen. Let your kids tell you what they have to say about underage alcohol use. Then give them the correct (or expanded) facts in a way that they will understand. Then listen again.

Remember, we are the number one source of information for our children. And as people who have already been through the transitions they are facing, we are well equipped to help them remain alcohol-free. Even though they are gaining more responsibilities and freedoms, remember to give them clear rules and the consequences if they are broken. And then listen, talk, and listen again.