Teenage drinking

[Janice]

My 13 year old son revealed recently, when asked, that he had sampled the alcohol in our house, wine, and brandy--at various times. I calmly asked him if he had ever gotten drunk and he said yes, once, when he sampled all of them at one time. I asked him how many times he'd had alcohol, and he didn't know, but probably 8-10 times. He said that he'd done it at various times of the day and night, including once when I was at home.

I told him that he should not drink again, that it was bad for his growing body, mind, etc. and he said okay, that he wouldn't.

I don't drink, but my husband does. My husband removed all the alcohol except some Jack Daniels, which he's hid away. He seems to think that between this and my son's words that he won't drink again, everything will be all right.

Something tells me it's not enough. Am I right? I don't believe that my husband will quit drinking. And I'm not sure how to keep an eye on my son without losing our line of communication. He has been open with me about several things, including his strong physical feelings for his older girlfriend. They are not allowed to be alone together. He has told me that she drinks too, though he claims her parents give it to her. I suspect that he tried drinking because of her....

[Fatlisa]

You appear to have a very honest son there, not many would tell you about stuff like that.

[Guest]