>Basically, yes. Any attempt to keep them 100% dry is likely to backfire; don't forget the peer/beer pressure and other ways the current culture has. It would be nearly impossible to live a life without encountering alcohol in some form, so it's better to get them ready to answer the challenge. Know the limits, know how not to do anything bad while intoxicated, how not to be a pig, that in vino veritas (i.e. drunken people spill the beans and bore everybody) etc etc. IOW, teach them how to fish without falling into the creek :).


Agreed. I don't expect them to never try any alcohol. I'm just hoping they will dabble, see they don't like it, and forget it after that. I also try to instill that they can't drink and drive .. or ride with someone else who has been drinking and driving. My oldest is 15 and only has a learner's permit but I have told them often .. when the time comes if they are at a party and they've been drinking or their driver has been drinking, call me and I will come and get them .. no questions asked. I'd rather pick them up at a friend's house than identify the body at the morgue.