Mark McPherson Consulting

7 things parents can do now to help their teenagers handle the real world of alcohol

As teenagers get older, they go to more and more social events by themselves. They mix with more and more people in new surroundings and encounter new social situations. They also make more and more of their own decisions when it comes to alcohol and it's natural for parents to be concerned. Alcohol is pretty much everywhere. Most parents are aware that no matter how well they've brought up their children, their teenagers are vulnerable. At parties, for example, and even when they are just 'hanging out with friends', there can be people 'letting their hair down' and people getting a bit 'carried away'. First, they are vulnerable because they want to 'fit in', be accepted, and be seen as an adult. If others are drinking, then it's easy to drink too.  After all, "one won't hurt" and "everyone else is doing it".

                         

They are also vulnerable because of the subtle and not-so-subtle influences of others. Sometimes, people can simply offer them a drink with the expectation that the drink will be consumed, but sometimes people can be much more pushy. They can egg them on to do some pretty stupid things like drink more than they want to (or should), to accept a lift with a drunk driver or to drive when they know they shouldn't. These other people aren't necessarily bad — even friends can simply get 'carried away'.

            

There is an answer and it's Mark McPherson. Parents always enjoy Mark's delivery style and he leaves them with strategies that they can immediately use. Mark has designed two presentations specifically for parents.Too many alcohol education programs do not give teenagers what they need to be safe. Too many parents are 'leaving it to chance'.  Too many programs are not realistic and are not pragmatic. We must prepare our children for the real world - one where there's parties, flirting, showing off, learning how to handle new feelings and new situations, and even normally well-behaved young people getting carried away, acting 'out of character and doing silly and even dangerous things. Mark's "7 things parents can do now to help their teenagers handle alcohol" gives parents some straight-forward, practical tips yet has plenty of laughs and entertainment. The 7 things are:

             

  1. Understand the reality of 'teenage alcohol situations'. 
  2. Speak to their teenagers honestly and listen to them actively.
  3. Share their life and respect their independence.
  4. Be informed and know what goes on without intruding.
  5. Demonstrate responsible, healthy, moral and legal behaviours without moralising.
  6. Provide clarity of rules, boundaries, responsibilities for them and for you.
  7. Help them learn real-world strategies and skills

            

Mark can deliver presentations at a typical 'parents night' or a specially held event.  Ask him what he can do for you.

                   

As a bonus, Mark can deliver a presentation on the "7 facts about alcohol which are too often ignored". Too many alcohol education programs ignore some basic truths.  Unfortunately, even though many teenagers enjoy the programs, most teenagers quickly realize the reality. Mark's "7 facts about alcohol that are too often ignored" gives an entertaining yet serious insight into why so many programs simply don't have much of an effect on most teenagers. We must 'take on board' these facts if we are to have an impact on our sons and daughters. The facts are:

               

  1. Most people drink alcohol because they enjoy the effects and/or the socializing that goes with it such as the associated camaraderie and festivity.  
  2. The nature of ‘becoming an adult’ can be very conducive to taking risks such as drinking alcohol in an unsafe manner.  It's easy for young people, as well as adults, to get 'caught out'.
  3. Intended limits to drinking can be quickly changed because other priorities can become more important.
  4. Role-modelling appropriate behaviours by parents is important, but it is not enough to prepare teenagers for the real world.
  5. Understandably, most people, on most occasions, do not use information about Standard Drinks to plan their drinking.
  6. Too many parents believe their teenagers will easily handle the pressure to drink inappropriately because “they’re just not like that”, “don’t keep company with people who are like that” etc.
  7. Unfortunately, most people learn how to handle 'alcohol situations' through experience which is not only inefficient but can be costly.

 Contact Mark and ask how he can help.                      Some Case Studies

 

Presentation to teenagers about learning how to handle alcohol