Action Checklist

• Establish a loving, trusting relationship with your child.
• Make it easy for your teen to talk honestly with you.
• Talk with your child about alcohol facts, reasons not to drink, and ways to avoid drinking in difficult situations.
• Keep tabs on your young teen's activities, and join with other parents in making common policies about teen alcohol use.
• Develop family rules about teen drinking and establish consequences.
• Set a good example regarding your own alcohol use and your response to teen drinking.
• Encourage your child to develop healthy friendships and fun alternatives to drinking.
• Know whether your child is at high risk for a drinking problem; if so, take steps to lessen that risk.
• Know the warning signs of a teen drinking problem and act promptly to get help for your child.
• Believe in your own power to help your child avoid alcohol use.