We are aware of the power of example, and it has been demonstrated that if children are introduced to wine, cider or beer, in the company of family or friends at home, where it is enjoyed sensibly in a convivial atmosphere, later problems can be avoided. The philosophy of such an approach, is that if your child is allowed a taste of wine, mixed with water, the idea of 'taboo' and alcohol being a forbidden fruit are removed and the child learns to enjoy the pleasures of drinking lightly, by example and without excess. It helps avoid children experimenting with alcohol without supervision in secrecy.

Talking To Your Children

Over a twelve month period, the young Britons, Irish and Swedes are twice as likely to have binge drinking occasions compared to the Italians and the French. Their lack of 'binge' culture is often explained by the Mediterranean lifestyle whereby alcohol is introduced at mealtimes and by the drinking environment which revolves around family meals, cafes and restaurants rather than pubs and clubs.

In a recent report on binge drinking, Adrian Furnham suggests that parents play the central and the most powerful causative role in establishing drinking patterns. Upbringing determines the child’s values, media consumption, friendships and expenditure as well as setting an example by their own drinking. It is vital for parents to recognise the excitement and rewards offered by drinking as part of ‘independence’. Demonising alcohol is counter productive.

Get Talking

Young Children

It is illegal to give a child under 5 alcohol. However, If you drink alcohol at home, your children are bound to ask questions at an early age about what you are drinking and what it tastes like. It is tempting to say 'wait until you are older', but it is worth explaining to your child that little bodies can't digest alcohol, which is 'strong'. Hence they should only have a very occasional sip at times of celebration such as Birthdays and Christmas.

11 year olds

By eleven, if your child shows an interest, you could consider letting them have a small amount of wine mixed with water or beer at meal times, perhaps at weekends. This is the Mediteranean way, and has proved to make alcohol be seen as more of a 'food' to be enjoyed at meal times than in Northern Europe where it is more associated with a rite of passage, 'taboo' and sneaking behind the bike sheds. The average age of a first whole alcoholic drink in the UK is twelve and a half, so its important to talk.

Teenagers

All the figures show that teenagers experiment with alcohol and often with friends, but if their parents have been good and open role models and are ‘well socialised’ they are unlikely to develop bad habits with respect to alcohol.

Banning alcohol in the household can lead to unregulated secret drinking - parents are key – through example, instruction, control of the media and monetary allowances you can help ensure that your children become responsible young adults.

Young Adults

Once your child has gone to college or is living away from home for the first time, it is harder to influence them and you have no control over the time they come home or how they drink and eat. The path should have been properly laid already to self respect and independence but the following advice may help:

> Highlight the consequences of drunkenness without effecting their friendships and social life, such as getting home safely, looking a fool in front of friends or partners and the risk of unprotected sex.

> Encourage them to pace themselves by alternating drinks, to eat before going out drinking or clubbing.

Under 5? It is illegal to give an alcoholic drink to a child under 5 except under medical supervision in an emergency.

Under 14? With the new licensing law, it is now at the Landlord's discretion as to whether children are allowed anywhere in a pub. They cannot of course, buy or drink alcohol on the premises.

14 or 15? You can go anywhere in a pub, but cannot buy or drink alcohol.

Under 18? Adults are not allowed to buy alcohol on behalf of under 18's in a licensed premises. In the new licensing laws, the only exception is for 16 or 17 year olds who are allowed to drink beer, wine or cider at a meal out with adults (but they may not buy the alcohol themselves).

It is legal for anyone over 5 to drink alcohol. The restrictions apply to purchasing (under 18) and location - on licensed premises or in alcohol exclusion zones.

Police have powers to confiscate alcohol from under 18's drinking in public spaces (e.g. in the street or in parks).