As teenagers get older, they go to more and more social events by themselves. They mix with new people in new surroundings. Teenagers are vulnerable in these new situations. They’re 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, who wants to be the odd one out when it appears that ‘everyone else is doing it’.
They’re also vulnerable because of the subtle and not-so-subtle pressure from others. On the subtle side, a teenager can simply offer another a drink with the expectation that it’ll be accepted. This expectation can be surprisingly powerful. Teenagers can also be subjected to pressure which is much more up front and direct. They can be pressured to drink more than they want, drive when they know they shouldn’t and accept a lift with a drunk driver.
Get the book: ”Don’t let your kids be idiots with alcohol”
This is the draft title of a 60,000 word book that Mark is currently producing. It is scheduled to go on sale in June 2012.
Order form – coming soon. Have a look at the one-page preface – coming soon.
Have Mark present: “7 things parents can do now to help their teenagers handle alcohol”
Mark provides an entertaining and informative presentation to parents, guardians and the general public on what parents can do to help their teenagers handle the real world of alcohol. 30-80 mins.
Parents enjoy Mark’s delivery style and he leaves them with strategies that they can immediately use. 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:
Understand the reality of ‘teenage alcohol situations’.
Speak to their teenagers honestly and listen to them actively.
Share their life and respect their independence.
Be informed and know what goes on without intruding.
Demonstrate responsible, healthy, moral and legal behaviours without moralising.
Provide clarity of rules, boundaries, responsibilities for them and for you.
Help them learn real-world strategies and skills
Ask Mark what he can do for you.
Something extra: 7 facts about alcohol which are too often ignored.
Too many alcohol education programs ignore some basic truths. Mark’s “7 facts about alcohol that are too often ignored” is an entertaining yet serious insight into some facts we must admit if we’re to have an impact on our sons and daughters. The facts are:
Most people drink alcohol because they enjoy the effects and/or the socializing that goes with it such as the associated camaraderie and festivity.
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’.
Intended limits to drinking can be quickly changed because other priorities can become more important.
Role-modelling appropriate behaviours by parents is important, but it is not enough to prepare teenagers for the real world.
Understandably, most people, on most occasions, do not use information about Standard Drinks to plan their drinking.
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.
Unfortunately, most people learn how to handle ‘alcohol situations’ through experience which is not only inefficient but can be costly.