Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
Every teen has a desire to be cool, to succeed and to fit in. It’s important that we remind our teens that alcohol isn’t an option for any of these ventures. Unfortunately, with school back in session, our teens can be subjected to peer pressure and to teenage trends.
With every birthday, our teens are flirting with adulthood and want to act like it. With later curfew and more lenient rules, they have more freedom, and more opportunity to make dangerous choices.
Officials with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) are addressing the issue as autumn begins. MADD is urging parents and caregivers to step in and to talk with teenagers today about the risks and the dangers involved with underage drinking.
Our Stuart personal injury lawyers understand that parents are some of the most influential people in a teen’s life. It may not seem like you’re getting through, but you’d be surprised by how much your word and your concern means to them. Your talk and your involvement in a teen’s life can help them make safe and responsible decisions that might one day end up saving their life. Consider these tips on how to get the conversation started, provided to us by MADD:
Tips for Talking About Underage Drinking:
-Make sure that you start the conversation before the problem arises. It’s important to lay down the foundation before there’s any kind of blame, anger, accusations or punishment.
-Make sure that you and your teen are able to lay down a complete and thorough set of rules and consequences for breaking these rules. You want to explain to you teen about how you expect them to act in these scenarios.
-Be their buddy. You want to be firm while also showing them that you care. While talking to them, reach out and touch their arm or their back to show that you care and you’re not the bad guy.
-You always want to pay attention to what they have to say. Make sure you’re listening.
-Pay attention and be aware of where your teen is at all times, who they’re with and what they’re doing.
-Get the family together. Family time helps to create responsible teens and adult. Try having family dinner at least 3 times a week.
-Make sure that respect is reciprocated. When your teen talks to you, listen and reply respectfully. Insist that your teen treat you with respect, too.
-Stay on the consequences. These are written in stone. Don’t go back on your word and ease up. Make household laws and stick to them.
According to MyFloridaLicense.com, teens face 60 days in jail or a $500 fine, and are subjected to having your parents drive them around if they are busted with alcohol and are under the age of 21. If you’re busted trying to purchase alcohol, the store owner or employee can have you arrested.
If you or your teen has been injured, contact Freeman Injury Law at 1-800-561-7777 for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights.
More Blog Entries:
Curbing Road Rage and Tractor-Trailer Accident Fatalities, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, August 23, 2013
Slightly Fewer Traffic Collisions Reported in Florida First Half of 2013, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, August 14, 2013