Do you lock your liquor/wine and beer away?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As the kids are becoming teens - just wondering what most people do? We always have wine and beer in fridge and a few bottles of liquor in a cabinet in the dining room......

We did not, but our school gave the parents a drug/alcohol talk last fall, and the speaker said we should lock it away now, before they notice it. They said it's the #1 place kids get alcohol--they don't buy it, they take it from your or other kids' parents' cabinets.

Yes of course there is always a way for them to get alcohol, but if you lock it up, you give your kids a way out if a friend is pressuring them to get them your alcohol. "Sorry, I don't know where the key is; I know, my mom is such a b**** to lock it up!"

Anyways, after hearing that talk, we asked our handyman to put a door with a lock behind the cabinet door; it took him all about 1 hour to do it, and you don't see it unless you open the cabinet. It's a locked door behind the cabinet door. My teen saw it and was furious--"you don't trust me!" and I just said, "hey, it's to give you a way out if anyone ever pressures you to get some booze for them," and she understood and laid off me.

Then it turned out to be so convenient, we put our OTC and Rx medications in there. And when going on a little trip, I put my checkbook and loose cash in there. Oh, and some of my favorite chocolate that I can't seem to resist when they are in the pantry. The extra step of going to get the key is just enough of an inconvenience to stop me from eating them. I have to admit, that cabinet is turning out to be really handy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I lock up my wine and my liquor but not my beer because that is in a fridge in the garage. This is not because I don't trust my kids but because my kids don't trust their friends.

When I have kids over my house I am under some sort of obligation that I am not supplying liquor to them and leaving easily accessible bottles of liquor in my basement where I do not monitor them, is irresponsible.

My wine closet has a lock and is big enough to put the bottles of liquor. I stocked the downstairs fridge with gatorades, water and a little bit of soda (not a big fan of soda). We have a basketball court in our backyard and ping-pong table. We have a big TV for football, XBox, PS4. The kids hang out a lot and are welcome to the drinks in that fridge and the snack closet.

If your kids have friends....Freshman year they will be faced with friends trying to steal your liquor.

in HS, your kids are going to drink, period. They will also smoke pot. You will hope it stops there.

I don't care if your kids take 10 AP classes and is 1st chair orchestra and is a nationally ranked chess player and won nationals in fencing and you go to church every Sunday. They are going to drink and try pot.

It's not that I don't trust my kids it's that I want them to have fun and to not deal with the pressure they already feel every single time there is a party. I made my basement a safe zone. I don't think that is unreasonable.

BTW, my friend had a homecoming dinner hosted at her home and she said no alcohol and locked up the alcohol. She checked bags at the front door. Kids came to her house the weekend before and hid alcohol in the drop ceiling of her basement. Kids are going to drink, but they are not drinking my alcohol, I am not a supplier.

Actually, about half of high school students don't drink or smoke pot, according to NIH statistics. I didn't.

Survey type statistics say 60% drink, which, basically, means 70-80 or more drink. Not binge drink, but drink.

The NIH statistics say about 60% drink. Which means about 60% drink. That would include e.g. the kid who has one beer every few months, as well as the binge-drinker.

40% don't drink. Which is a pretty high number, and in any case, a far cry from PP's assertion that ALL kids "will" drink.

NIH uses surveys. Results from surveys about alcohol consumption are typically if not always below alcohol consumption based on alcohol sales. Somebody is drinking the alcohol, that is sold, but not answering the surveys truthfully.

You don't know what you are talking about. Do you understand how NIH surveys are done?

And sales are to adults, who were not surveyed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I lock up my wine and my liquor but not my beer because that is in a fridge in the garage. This is not because I don't trust my kids but because my kids don't trust their friends.

When I have kids over my house I am under some sort of obligation that I am not supplying liquor to them and leaving easily accessible bottles of liquor in my basement where I do not monitor them, is irresponsible.

My wine closet has a lock and is big enough to put the bottles of liquor. I stocked the downstairs fridge with gatorades, water and a little bit of soda (not a big fan of soda). We have a basketball court in our backyard and ping-pong table. We have a big TV for football, XBox, PS4. The kids hang out a lot and are welcome to the drinks in that fridge and the snack closet.

If your kids have friends....Freshman year they will be faced with friends trying to steal your liquor.

in HS, your kids are going to drink, period. They will also smoke pot. You will hope it stops there.

I don't care if your kids take 10 AP classes and is 1st chair orchestra and is a nationally ranked chess player and won nationals in fencing and you go to church every Sunday. They are going to drink and try pot.

It's not that I don't trust my kids it's that I want them to have fun and to not deal with the pressure they already feel every single time there is a party. I made my basement a safe zone. I don't think that is unreasonable.

BTW, my friend had a homecoming dinner hosted at her home and she said no alcohol and locked up the alcohol. She checked bags at the front door. Kids came to her house the weekend before and hid alcohol in the drop ceiling of her basement. Kids are going to drink, but they are not drinking my alcohol, I am not a supplier.

Actually, about half of high school students don't drink or smoke pot, according to NIH statistics. I didn't.

Survey type statistics say 60% drink, which, basically, means 70-80 or more drink. Not binge drink, but drink.

The NIH statistics say about 60% drink. Which means about 60% drink. That would include e.g. the kid who has one beer every few months, as well as the binge-drinker.

40% don't drink. Which is a pretty high number, and in any case, a far cry from PP's assertion that ALL kids "will" drink.

NIH uses surveys. Results from surveys about alcohol consumption are typically if not always below alcohol consumption based on alcohol sales. Somebody is drinking the alcohol, that is sold, but not answering the surveys truthfully.

You don't know what you are talking about. Do you understand how NIH surveys are done?

And sales are to adults, who were not surveyed.

Thank you, I do know how surveys are done. Who do you think is buying alcohol for teens. I asked mine how they get alcohol and pot. The answer was older brothers and fake IDs.
On top of it, my friends and I always instruct kids to answer "No" about any illegal activities if ever asked in any survey, anonymous or not. During anti drug pledge week there were couple of kids who decided to be honest and not commit to a week without drugs. Those kids got so much talk and attention from adults, that it made anyone else think twice about being honest about drugs and alcohol.

[Anonymous]

Yes of course there is always a way for them to get alcohol, but if you lock it up, you give your kids a way out if a friend is pressuring them to get them your alcohol. "Sorry, I don't know where the key is; I know, my mom is such a b**** to lock it up!"

What is interesting to me is that many describe a situation when kids have to steal alcohol (take what is not allowed). According to my teenagers, that is absolutely not necessary, they have their ways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I lock up my wine and my liquor but not my beer because that is in a fridge in the garage. This is not because I don't trust my kids but because my kids don't trust their friends.

When I have kids over my house I am under some sort of obligation that I am not supplying liquor to them and leaving easily accessible bottles of liquor in my basement where I do not monitor them, is irresponsible.

My wine closet has a lock and is big enough to put the bottles of liquor. I stocked the downstairs fridge with gatorades, water and a little bit of soda (not a big fan of soda). We have a basketball court in our backyard and ping-pong table. We have a big TV for football, XBox, PS4. The kids hang out a lot and are welcome to the drinks in that fridge and the snack closet.

If your kids have friends....Freshman year they will be faced with friends trying to steal your liquor.

in HS, your kids are going to drink, period. They will also smoke pot. You will hope it stops there.

I don't care if your kids take 10 AP classes and is 1st chair orchestra and is a nationally ranked chess player and won nationals in fencing and you go to church every Sunday. They are going to drink and try pot.

It's not that I don't trust my kids it's that I want them to have fun and to not deal with the pressure they already feel every single time there is a party. I made my basement a safe zone. I don't think that is unreasonable.

BTW, my friend had a homecoming dinner hosted at her home and she said no alcohol and locked up the alcohol. She checked bags at the front door. Kids came to her house the weekend before and hid alcohol in the drop ceiling of her basement. Kids are going to drink, but they are not drinking my alcohol, I am not a supplier.

Actually, about half of high school students don't drink or smoke pot, according to NIH statistics. I didn't.

Survey type statistics say 60% drink, which, basically, means 70-80 or more drink. Not binge drink, but drink.

The NIH statistics say about 60% drink. Which means about 60% drink. That would include e.g. the kid who has one beer every few months, as well as the binge-drinker.

40% don't drink. Which is a pretty high number, and in any case, a far cry from PP's assertion that ALL kids "will" drink.

NIH uses surveys. Results from surveys about alcohol consumption are typically if not always below alcohol consumption based on alcohol sales. Somebody is drinking the alcohol, that is sold, but not answering the surveys truthfully.

You don't know what you are talking about. Do you understand how NIH surveys are done?

And sales are to adults, who were not surveyed.

Thank you, I do know how surveys are done. Who do you think is buying alcohol for teens. I asked mine how they get alcohol and pot. The answer was older brothers and fake IDs.
On top of it, my friends and I always instruct kids to answer "No" about any illegal activities if ever asked in any survey, anonymous or not. During anti drug pledge week there were couple of kids who decided to be honest and not commit to a week without drugs. Those kids got so much talk and attention from adults, that it made anyone else think twice about being honest about drugs and alcohol.

You are still missing the point, which is that a LARGE MINORITY of teens do not drink. Including me. Including my kids and their friends.

[Anonymous]

Millennials drink less than Xers. They go out less and drive later, too. More parent involvement, more highly scheduled organized activities, and more likely to spend time at home than go out with friends.

[Anonymous]

You are still missing the point, which is that a LARGE MINORITY of teens do not drink. Including me. Including my kids and their friends.

Good one. Small majority drinks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Millennials drink less than Xers. They go out less and drive later, too. More parent involvement, more highly scheduled organized activities, and more likely to spend time at home than go out with friends.

Millenials are getting closer to dinosaurs. Teenagers are Generation Z.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

You are still missing the point, which is that a LARGE MINORITY of teens do not drink. Including me. Including my kids and their friends.

Good one. Small majority drinks.

40% is not the majority.

Also there are kids that smoke pot but don't drink because it is easier to get.

Sure there are some kids that don't drink or smoke pit. But their friend will still steal your liquor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You are still missing the point, which is that a LARGE MINORITY of teens do not drink. Including me. Including my kids and their friends.

Good one. Small majority drinks.

40% is not the majority.

Also there are kids that smoke pot but don't drink because it is easier to get.

Sure there are some kids that don't drink or smoke pit. But their friend will still steal your liquor.

As long as they leave my chocolate alone...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You are still missing the point, which is that a LARGE MINORITY of teens do not drink. Including me. Including my kids and their friends.

Good one. Small majority drinks.

40% is not the majority.

Also there are kids that smoke pot but don't drink because it is easier to get.

Sure there are some kids that don't drink or smoke pit. But their friend will still steal your liquor.

As long as they leave my chocolate alone...

If their parents don't let them eat chocolate most likely you chocolate will be toast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Yes of course there is always a way for them to get alcohol, but if you lock it up, you give your kids a way out if a friend is pressuring them to get them your alcohol. "Sorry, I don't know where the key is; I know, my mom is such a b**** to lock it up!"

What is interesting to me is that many describe a situation when kids have to steal alcohol (take what is not allowed). According to my teenagers, that is absolutely not necessary, they have their ways.

There are a variety of ways kids can obtain alcohol. Unsecured alcohol in parents' houses is often the easiest way.

[Anonymous]

I have an onion vodka out, in the open, for grabs (a gift from a German guest). Nobody wants it, even teenagers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You are still missing the point, which is that a LARGE MINORITY of teens do not drink. Including me. Including my kids and their friends.

Good one. Small majority drinks.

40% is not the majority.

Also there are kids that smoke pot but don't drink because it is easier to get.

Sure there are some kids that don't drink or smoke pit. But their friend will still steal your liquor.

The PP doesn't say "majority." It says "MINORITY."

Unless you have a crystal ball, you don't know what kids' friends "will" do.

[Anonymous]

This is a good piece about teen drinking. We take the same approach that this writer has, and so far so good. (They are 20 and 18 and pretty much abide by our expectations, which is consistent with the research.)

https://grownandflown.com/letter-mom-teenage-son-drinking/