Medium
General Check-In Starters
- "I’ve been noticing you seem a little stressed lately. How are things going with your friends or at school?"
- "What kinds of things do teens your age usually do when they hang out?"
- "How do you feel when you’re in situations where others might be drinking?"
- "What do you think about alcohol? I’m curious to hear your perspective."
If a Parent Suspects Alcohol Use
- "I want to ask you something, and it’s because I care about you. Have you been around situations where people your age were drinking?"
- "Sometimes when teens start high school/middle school, they may experiment with things like alcohol. Has anyone offered it to you?"
- "I noticed you seemed a little different after hanging out with friends. Can you tell me about what the night was like?"
- "I know talking about alcohol can feel uncomfortable, but I’d rather hear your honest thoughts than guess what’s going on. What’s your experience been so far?"
Building Trust and Connection
- "When I was your age, alcohol was around at parties. I didn’t always know how to handle it. How do you think you’d handle it if someone offered you a drink?"
- "What do you think are the good and not-so-good things about drinking?"
- "If you ever felt pressured to drink, what do you think would help you say no?"
- "How can I support you if you ever end up in a situation where alcohol is involved?"