213. Parenting and Alcohol - Creating Honest Conversations
The often uncomfortable topic of parenting and alcohol, Sarah explores how parental drinking habits influence children’s perceptions of alcohol.
Alcohol Free April - 30 days of 1:1 coaching
Sober Spring - 90 days of 1:1 coaching
Book a space in my Zoom Diary to discuss 1:1 coaching here
Buy the best-selling book Drink Less; Live Better here or order from anywhere you usually buy your books.
Subscribe to my 5 day Drink Less Experiment here
Did you know I've HIDDEN a podcast episode?
It's your secret weapon at 5pm if you are feeling cravings for alcohol. You can download it here
You can work with me 1:1 over 90 days to change your relationship with alcohol?
All details HERE
BTW - If you didn't already know, I'm Sarah - Drink Less; Live Better founder, best-selling author, expert speaker, life coach and, as you already know, podcast host!
We don't have to hit rock bottom, we're allowed to want something different and we can CHOOSE to improve our lives from this point onwards.
I work in the magic space where doubt, hope and action meet... oh.... and
PS I believe in you!
Let's get connected;
on Facebook
on insta
Check out Drink Less; Live Better for blog posts and more
Subscribe to this podcast so you don't miss an episode - also please do leave a like or review and share the love! Thank you
Found the podcast useful? I'd love to have a coffee with you - you can buy it here THANK YOU!
Transcript
Hello, darling heart, and welcome to this episode of the Drink Less, Live Better podcast.
-:This is the podcast that helps you to see that drinking less doesn't need to be stressful, lonely, or boring.
-:I'm your host, Sarah Williamson, and I decided to have a year alcohol free as a little life experiment and haven't looked back.
-:I'm here to support you with your alcohol free or drink less adventures.
-:Follow me on Instagram at drink less, live better.
-:Find resources on my website at drinkless,livebetter.com. I hope you enjoyed this episode. Let's get straight to it. Parenting and alcohol. Let's create some honest conversations.
-:This is a topic that makes a lot of parents uncomfortable, but I'm I'm afraid it's absolutely crucial.
-:Our relationship with alcohol while raising our children and teenagers and young adults is important.
-:Today, I'm talking about how our drinking habits impact our kids' understanding of the world. Let's start with a fundamental truth.
-:Children, teenagers, young adults are incredibly perceptive.
-:They're not just observers in our lives.
-:They're active interpreters, constantly learning and forming their understanding of adult behavior through what they see at home.
-:We can tell our teens anything we like.
-:We can instruct them, direct them, and set rules.
-:But I think the very best thing we can do is model a behaviour we'd like to see in them.
-:How can I hope my boys pick up some emotion amazing emotional regulation techniques when I might be showing them that numbing
-:out with alcohol is a totally okay response to living a life that is generally overwhelming? Go on. Ask me how I know.
-:When we talk about parents and alcohol, there is not just a simple binary of drinking and not drinking.
-:There's a rich and complex spectrum that shapes how teenagers perceive substances, responsibility and adult life.
-:When I go on to talk about households in a minute, I'm really talking about individuals.
-:Some households might have one adult or more adults, and some households will have adults that drink the same amount as each
-:other, and others will have adults where one drinks more or less than the other.
-:In households where parents don't drink at all, teenagers often develop a very clear understanding of personal choice.
-:These kids might see abstinence as a deliberate health decision or a personal value or a family way of being.
-:In a house where parents drink a bit, teenagers might get a nuanced view of alcohol.
-:Perhaps they see a glass of wine with dinner or a beer during a social gathering being drunk.
-:They learn that alcohol can be part of adult life without being a central focus or a problem.
-:The key here is probably demonstration, showing that alcohol is something with clear boundaries.
-:In a heavy drinking household where parents drink excessively, teenagers are exposed to potential dysfunction.
-:They might witness mood changes, unpredictability or, of course, worse.
-:Some children's of children of heavy drinkers become hypervigilant.
-:Others might normalise excessive drinking, and, of course, they could develop complex emotional responses to it. Here's what's important.
-:Regardless of your personal drinking habits, the goal is to create an environment of honest and open communication with your
-:kids, one that doesn't involve lying or dismissing your child's fears or worries. Teenagers need context.
-:They need to understand that alcohol is complex.
-:It's a substance with social, physiological, and personal implications.
-:It's probably not just about saying don't drink.
-:It's about exploring why people drink, the potential risks, and the importance of making responsible choices for themselves. Here are some practical strategies. Be transparent. If you drink, talk about it. Explain your choices. Discuss real consequences.
-:Share some age appropriate information about the physiological and social impacts of alcohol, not fear mongering, education. Model healthy boundaries.
-:Show that social activities don't require alcohol and that saying no thanks is always an option. Create conversations.
-:Make it clear that your teenager can always talk to you about alcohol without any judgement.
-:If they're curious, confused, or concerned, you want to be their first resource. Think about the bigger picture.
-:Our relationship with alcohol is never just about the drinking.
-:It's about values, health, social dynamics, and personal agency.
-:By providing a rounded, honest perspective, we give our teenagers something far more valuable than a simple prohibition. We give them critical thinking skills.
-:A teenager who understands alcohol's complexities is a teenager who understands nuance.
-:They learn that life isn't about absolute rules, but by understanding context, making informed choices, and maintaining personal
-:integrity, they can find their navigate their way through this.
-:Whether you're a non drinker, a moderate drinker, or someone struggling with alcohol, your honesty is your greatest tool. Teenagers don't need perfect parents.
-:They need real parents who are willing to have genuine, uncomfortable conversations.
-:Thank you so much for listening in today. Come back again next week.
-:Check out the show notes for a link to a pod hidden oh my god.
-:Hidden podcast episode that will help you with your 5PM cravings and details about my one to one life coaching and sober coaching programs. No editing done here. And, PS, I believe in you.
