- I've noticed that my son sometimes comes home from out with his friends at night and has been drinking alcohol. For now, I'm pretending not to notice. Should I continue like this, or should I talk to him?
- How can I explain to my daughter that it's not good to drink alcohol when we drink wine and beer at home?
- Can I tell my children that I understand they drink, but that they should do so in moderation, or is it better to tell them not to drink at all?
- I have a 14-year-old daughter, and I've seen more than one of her friends pass out from alcohol. But when we talk about it, she doesn't see how serious it is. How can I make her understand the seriousness of alcohol consumption, especially when it's excessive?
- Is it advisable for adults to buy alcohol for our children so they don't secretly buy the cheapest and most harmful kind?
- I'm a teacher and I've noticed that a 16-year-old student who is experiencing a very recent loss is drinking alcohol. How can I help her?
- Are there any training or prevention programs on alcohol consumption for schools in Catalonia?
- What signs can tell us that a teenager really has a problem with alcohol consumption?
- What can I do if I know my teenage son is abusing alcohol, but he doesn't listen to me?
- Should I allow my daughter to have parties at home with friends where I know they consume alcohol?
- At what age and how can we start talking to our children about alcohol?
- Any guidelines or tips for prevention from home?
- Should we allow minors in the family to drink wine or cava on special occasions like Christmas or birthdays?
- Should advertising of alcoholic beverages be banned in establishments, supermarkets and bars?
I've noticed that my son sometimes comes home from out with his friends at night and has been drinking alcohol. For now, I'm pretending not to notice. Should I continue like this, or should I talk to him?
Talking about alcohol and other drugs is an integral part of home education. In fact, the family plays a fundamental preventative role: discussing these issues allows you to understand their perspective, answer their questions, and offer tools that strengthen their autonomy and responsibility, including, if necessary, practical harm reduction strategies or guidelines for using substances with the least possible risk. Initiating this dialogue will allow you to better understand what's happening, so you can offer more appropriate support.
You should consider the message your child receives when you don't say anything. They may interpret the issue as irrelevant, that you're not paying attention to what's happening to them, or that the family isn't the place to talk about these things. Therefore, addressing the issue is more beneficial than avoiding it.
Choosing the right moment is important; talking to them right after they get home after drinking is probably not the best idea. Look for a quiet, unhurried moment when you can both have a calm conversation . It can be helpful to approach it with curiosity rather than confrontation: ask how they feel about alcohol, how they experience going out, or what role drinking plays in their group of friends. The situation might not even be exactly as you imagine.
It is important to respect their privacy , their space, and their decision-making and experimentation process, but this should not become a way to avoid conversations that may be essential.
How can I improve communication with my teenage son?