Even having done everything well, there is one day when your teenager crosses the line. And this time, alcohol had it wavered. You see him entering staggering, pale, nauseous. The dreaded scene is there. But then, how to react without breaking the bond of trust, nor trivializing this first excess? Psychologist Amélie Boukhobza shares four essential tips to accompany her child after her first cooked. From prevention to the aftermath, passing through the educational framework, each step counts.
Talk about alcohol before the first evening
If your teenager starts to go out, it’s already the right time to open the dialogue. Effective prevention always starts upstream. As Amélie Boukhobza reminds us, it is important to “”Adapt your speech according to his age, personality, maturity and lifestyle“The idea is not to demonize, but to give it landmarks before it is confronted with alcohol.
And above all, we must not wait for the incident to start the discussion. The psychologist advises “Have an open and educational discussion as soon as your teenager starts to go out more often or find himself in situations where alcohol can be present“. This is the ideal moment to build a benevolent setting, lay clear limits and open the door to a free word.
Establish clear rules, together
Once the dialogue is launched, it is crucial to supervise these possible first experiences. Amélie Boukhobza suggests “Define an age before which he will not have the right to drink, a number of glasses not to be exceeded“. And that’s not all: better so”Determine situations where it is authorized to drink, as during parties supervised by adults“.
Security must remain at the heart of your exchanges. And so that the teenager accepts the limits, we must give them meaning. “”It is also important to remind him that the purpose of the rules is not to reduce his freedom but above all to protect him“, Recalls the psychologist. By posing them with him, you increase the chances he can remember … even the glass in hand.
If the accident arrives, prioritize its condition
D -day arrives: your teenager is drunk. No need to scream or panic. What matters above all is his physical condition. “”If it may be tempting to get upset by seeing your child go on Saoûl, he often gets a much better lesson if you leave the benefits of alcohol do their job“Explains Amélie Boukhobza. Headache and nausea will be more eloquent than your sermons.
And to play down, a touch of irony can even hit the bull’s eye. A little “who makes the clever fall into the ravine“Sometimes it is enough. As long as of course not”Avoid reproaches and severe punishment, which could close the door to a constructive discussion afterwards“. The objective? That your child does not hide his next error, but learns from it.
Return to the episode with concrete examples
Once the storm has passed, place in discussion. You can rely on what he has experienced to anchor educational messages. “”I hope you serve you a lesson. You saw how sick you were, it’s not fun to put yourself in this state“Offers the psychologist as introduction.
This is an opportunity to talk about the rules set together, and to explain the functioning of your body in the face of alcohol. “”But to give the keys to understand the risks: loss of control, disinhibition, addiction, long -term health dangers“Ask him also how he came back.”Did you go on foot? You could have turned back! By car? You could have put your life and that of others in danger!“”
A firm, but embodied speech, which helps to get the message across without moralism. “”If alcohol and its effects are socially accepted, they are nonetheless very dangerous in certain cases, especially for a developing body. Using concrete examples and real situations that he can understand makes the message more impactful“Concludes Amélie Boukhobza.