This post is sponsored by Responsibility.org, I am a #TeamResponsibilty ambassador, but all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
With summer here and things starting to open up again, there are bound to be gatherings with cocktails being served or mocktails in my case. This makes it a great time to discuss alcohol responsibility and our role as parents to vocalize these habits with our children.
Did you know that parents are the #1 influence on their kids’ decisions to drink, or not drink, alcohol?* Above peers, which absolutely shocked me! But, it just demonstrates the importance of having continuous open conversations with our children around the topic of alcohol responsibility.
With Camden heading to college this fall I feel the pressure even more to have these conversations as I know he will be faced with tough decisions these next few years. What brings me peace of mind is knowing that we have already had many conversations regarding underage drinking and plenty of time to practice saying no when he is faced with a tough decision.
Some parents worry about introducing the idea of alcohol to their children but studies show that when conversions about alcohol go up, underage drinking goes down. In fact, Between 2003-2016 conversations about alcohol went up 73%, and underage drinking went down 50%.* That is very encouraging data and even more reasons why we should be prioritizing these conversations with our children.
So, what exactly should we share with our children about alcohol responsibility? Here are some starters.
- Talk to your kids about alcohol and practice ways to say NO to underage drinking. (Responsibility.org has great conversation starters here)
- Teach them the correct measurements for beverage and cocktail ingredients by modeling alcohol responsibility in front of them. (see the image below for reference)
- Always have water and non-alcoholic options available when you host.
- Offer food to guests and make sure you nibble as the host throughout the gathering as well.
- Always make sure guests have a safe ride home.
- Allow your kids to ask questions and always keep the lines of communication around alcohol open.
Here are the correct measurements per alcoholic beverage serving for reference.
I feel like some of the best lessons come from us parents modeling these behaviors in front of our children. One thing I like to do at gatherings is offer fun non-alcoholic beverage options alongside cocktails for parents that do not want to drink alcohol, are the designated driver or pregnant parents like myself. It also shows my kids that you can enjoy a fun beverage minus the alcohol.
Below are two mocktail recipes I learned at the recent Responsibility.org micro summit I attended. The recipes are courtesy of Liquor Lab.
Tapatio Girafa
Ingredients:
1 packet Tajin
¼ oz agave syrup
½ oz lemon juice
1-1/2 oz chamomile tea (brewed in 4 oz water and cooled)
2 oz ginger beer
Ice
Directions:
Simply shake the tea, lemon juice and agave syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Next prepare your glass by rimming it with the Tajin and filling it with ice. Then pour the tea mixture over the ice and top with ginger beer. Enjoy!
Sunshine Sour
Ingredients:
1-1/2 oz cranberry apple tea (brewed in 4 oz water and cooled)
½ agave syrup
¾ oz lemon juice
Ice
Directions:
Shake the tea, agave syrup and lemon juice in your cocktail shaker, pour over ice and enjoy!
To make the above mocktails into responsible cocktails simply swap the teas for 1 ½ oz of tequila. Remember 1 ½ oz of hard alcohol/spirits is the responsible amount.
Have a great, and responsible summer!
*Survey data from Responsibility.org
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