If you’re like most American parents, you probably enjoy a glass of wine or beer now and then. As such, your kids probably know there are special drinks for grown-ups only—but that doesn’t mean they necessarily understand why. So next time they ask, “Is that grape juice, Mommy?” seize the opportunity to start a conversation about alcohol.
Parents are the number-one influencers in a child’s decision to drink, so the more you can model healthy behavior, set clear expectations, and answer questions directly and openly, the better prepared he’ll be to say, “No,” when he’s a teen.
We know it isn’t easy, so in honor of Alcohol Awareness Month, Scholastic Parent & Child have teamed up with the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (FAAR) and its #TalkEarly campaign to host a Twitter party dedicated to helping you get the conversation going. Child development expert Michele Borba, Ed.D., will be answering your questions live—and 20 participants will win a copy of her book, The Big Book of Parenting Solutions! All the details are below, and we hope to see you there.
When: April 8, 2014, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. EST
How: Use #TalkEarly to follow and join the conversation.
Participants: Along with Dr. Borba, 10 of the country’s top parenting bloggers will also be weighing in:
- Leticia Barr: TechSavvyMama.com
- Stacey Ferguson: JusticeFergie.com
- Meagan Francis: TheHappiestHome.com
- Jeannette Kaplun: HispanaGlobal.com
- Adrian Kulp: DadorAlive.com
- Fadra Nally: AllThingsFadra.com
- Elena Sonnino: LiveDoGrow.com
- Kristen Howerton: RageAgainstTheMiniVan.com
- Ellen William and Erin Dymowski: SisterhoodofTheSensibleMoms.com
Check their #TalkEarly blogs at TalkEarly.org.
