As a parent you probably have some great ideas for keeping your kids safe during those highly social teenage years. <br><br>Some parents have shared ideas with us here, we would love it if you added to them - email our <A href="mailto:central@alac.org.nz" target=_blank>Wellington Office</A>.

As a parent you probably have some great ideas for keeping your kids safe during those highly social teenage years.

Some parents have shared ideas with us here, we would love it if you added to them - email our Wellington Office. 

Parent of 2 sons

I found that if you make your home a teen-friendly place, you will be more in touch with where your kids are going, who they are going with and often yours will be the house they all come back to at the end of the evening, earlier than planned. 

Mother of 1 son

I've asked my son to refrain from drinking alcohol for the first time with mates - 1st time is to be at home, with me around to help out with anything. He doesn't seem that interested in alcohol at this stage (he's 15 now).

He had his first beer on the weekend (that I know of, anyway!), at one of my mates places. He had it with dinner, and good conversation... so I guess my tip is about leading by example.

Also leading by example rather than talking about it, we've encouraged my son not to get in cars with people who've been drinking - and I've had instances where I've refused to ride with someone because they've been drinking, and I have seen my son do the same.

When he was offered a ride in a fancy car with someone who'd been drinking he just looked and almost scoffed - 'nah' he said 'you've been drinking - I'm going with Mum...' I was very proud of him, I can tell you.

The other thing we have talked about is that if he is out, and does feel that the situation is out of his control or whatever - and whatever the time, he can call me and I'll come pick him up. Interestingly, he hasn't abused this - and has not yet called me to collect him because he's feeling out of his depth. (Or maybe it's because I don't let him out late....?)
 

Parent of a son

Talk a lot about the manipulation of advertising and image in relation to selling of alcohol and encouraging my son to think about whether he wants this sort of propaganda to affect his choices.

Talk to other parents - communicate communicate communicate with other parents and don't be put off by your teen's threats that they will be alienated from the whole school community. In this way we are also educating other parents, whom I have found have mixed responses to my calls about the parties and alcohol. 

Sam - parent of 1 daughter and 1 son

Drink, drink, drink water, is my tip. 

Jules - parent of 5 teenagers

Having so many children I know a great deal about alcohol use at parties. Set some very basic rules before they leave so they don't feel too limited. Leave some money on the hall table so that when they catch a Taxi home they can run inside and get the money. Don't be too strict on them, or they WILL rebel.  

Zeitz - parent of 2 daughters and 1 son

I've found that speaking honestly with them was the best preventative measure. 

Tristian - father of 4 teenagers now in their 20's

The boys being twins and the girls only months apart all grew up with nearly all the same friends. The one rule my wife and I stressed to our children was always stay together in a group and never jump into anyone's car, drinking or not drinking. And no matter where they are, what state they are in they can always ring us. In this day in age things have changed and the streets are not safe like they used to be.