Summer holiday advice for parents

Remember the excitement of school summer holidays? As the bell went (maybe for the last time ever) there was the buzz that only six weeks of freedom can bring.

It’s great to see your teenagers dream up plans for the summer, from camping trips with friends to celebrate exam results, to house parties and festivals. But if you can recall what the start of the summer holidays was like, you’ll remember the boredom that often came after the initial fun faded.

Our research (1) shows that half of teenagers (51%) get bored during the holidays. Feeling bored can mean that your teens are tempted to drink alcohol; the same research shows that nearly one in 10 young people aged 16 and 17 (8%) drink at least once a week because of boredom.

What happens when young people drink?

As adults, experience has taught us that alcohol makes us do and say things that we wouldn’t when sober, as well as encouraging us to take risks. When young people drink, they are only just beginning to find out about alcohol’s effects. This means that alcohol can put them in some vulnerable situations.

Young people who drink alcohol to excess can end up:

In hospital. Nearly 5,000 teenagers are admitted to hospital every year for an alcohol-related condition. (2)

In trouble with the police. Figures from the police say that 10 to 17-year-olds that drink once a week are more likely to be involved in a criminal offence. (3)

Having unprotected sex. In one survey, a third of 16 to 22-year-olds said they have had unprotected sex when drunk. (4)

In the long-term, drinking regularly to excess means teenagers are more at risk of developing serious health problems, including liver disease and cancers in the future. Drinking can also cause problems with mental developments too, with heavy drinking in adolescence leading to learning difficulities.  

How parents can help

As a parent you’re in the best position to help your teenagers make informed decisions about alcohol. A recent Drinkaware YouGov poll showed that over a third of 16 and 17 year olds would prefer to get information on alcohol from their parents.

“Many young people tell us that they drink because that’s what they see adults doing – in real life and on television,” says Claire Easterman, operations director for online charity YouthNet, which provides expert advice, information and support to young people aged 16 to 25. “The best way for a parent to teach their children sensible drinking habits is to set a good example.”

For adults, guidelines recommend that women should not regularly exceed 2-3 units daily and that men should not regularly exceed 3-4 units daily. A large glass of wine or a pint of strong beer are both three units. If you feel you’re regularly drinking more than this, then it could a good idea to cut down.

Being able to talk openly and honestly with your teenagers about drinking is a good way to help them make informed decisions. Of course, it’s probably not the best idea to wait until the night before school breaks up to have “the big alcohol talk”, but the more you discuss the subject, the more they’re likely to come to you with their problems.

Drinkaware practical tips for parents

1. Be a positive role model. Adults should drink within the daily recommended guidelines (3-4 units a day for men, 2-3 units for women).

2. Introduce the topic early - the average age for young people to have their first alcoholic drink is 13.  

3. Don’t make alcohol a taboo subject - ensure your child can talk freely with you about alcohol. If you’re not sure how to start the conversation, soap operas or news stories can provide a useful trigger.

4. If your child does get drunk try not to overreact - talk to them about it the next morning: listen to what they have to say and try to understand their situation.

5. Young people can find out more by visiting YouthNet’s online advice service TheSite.org.

Footnotes

(1) YouGov Drinkaware 2009.

(2) NHS Information Centre 2009, ‘NHS Statistics on Alcohol: England’.

(3) Matthews S 2004, ‘Underage Drinking: Findings from the 2004 Offending, Crime and Justice Survey’.

(4) Youthnet 2009, ‘Sex Factor: Young People and Sexual Health’.

(5) YouGov Drinkaware 2009.

Page last updated by

Ben Butler, 10 Jul 2010.

Page checked on

25 Jun 2010.