Parent Tips to Prevent Underage Drinking It can be as simple as having short, ongoing conversations along with these other tips: yes YOUTH EMPOWERED FOR SUCCESS WAHPETON Make sure your child knows that you disapprove of underage drinking, Promote healthy choices. Be a good example. You are the #1 influence in your child's life. Role model healthy behaviors and attitudes. Be a part of your child's life. Regularly discuss your child's interests and take time to learn about him/her. Get to know your child's friends and their friends' parents. Help them problem-solve and offer encouragement. Spend time together. Be fully engaged with and responsive to your child: see the world from their perspective. Help your child find ways to have fun without alcohol. Encourage your child to get involved in school or extracurricular activities, Keeping your child engaged in healthy and positive activities decreases the Likelihood of them participating in risky behaviors. Know where your child is and what they are doing. Monitor your child's activity, especially during high risk times such as after school. Set clear rules and enforce them fairly. Encourage your child's growing independence, but set appropriate limits and follow through with consequences when rules are broken. Practice refusal skills. Help them practice how to say no even if they might not be currently experiencing peer pressure. Richland County Health Department Prevent. Premster. Protect. Parent Tips to Prevent Underage Drinking It can be as simple as having short, ongoing conversations along with these other tips: yes YOUTH EMPOWERED FOR SUCCESS WAHPETON Make sure your child knows that you disapprove of underage drinking, Promote healthy choices. Be a good example. You are the #1 influence in your child's life. Role model healthy behaviors and attitudes. Be a part of your child's life. Regularly discuss your child's interests and take time to learn about him/her. Get to know your child's friends and their friends' parents. Help them problem-solve and offer encouragement. Spend time together. Be fully engaged with and responsive to your child: see the world from their perspective. Help your child find ways to have fun without alcohol. Encourage your child to get involved in school or extracurricular activities, Keeping your child engaged in healthy and positive activities decreases the Likelihood of them participating in risky behaviors. Know where your child is and what they are doing. Monitor your child's activity, especially during high risk times such as after school. Set clear rules and enforce them fairly. Encourage your child's growing independence, but set appropriate limits and follow through with consequences when rules are broken. Practice refusal skills. Help them practice how to say no even if they might not be currently experiencing peer pressure. Richland County Health Department Prevent. Premster. Protect.