The bad effects of alcohol are displayed in the media and on the Internet; we also have real live people in our society showing its ill effects. The reaction that most people have when you ask them how much they drink, is to quickly deflect the focus off of themselves and state how much less they drink in comparison to others. Everyone thinks he or she is a "social drinker." If you continue to inquire further, they may tell you that they only consume beer or wine. Ultimately, alcohol can be dangerous if not used responsibly.

There are three levels of drinking - light, moderate and heavy. No alcoholic beverage is safer then another. It doesn't make a difference which type of alcohol you consume - it is still alcohol. It's all about how much you drink. How much you drink affects your parenting ability. Drinking just a little bit can affect child raising. The more you drink the less effective you are as a parent.

If you drink, you won't be able to spend as much time with your children. If you are drinking that is wasted time that could be spent with your children. On the weekends, in the evening after school, and so on are usually the times when adults tend to drink and these are also the times when children need their parents the most. People who drink heavily are not emotionally available to their children. Neglect is based in time and emotional unavailability.

Children imitate their parents' habits - good and bad. When they reach drinking age, they will imitate you and drink as you do, not understanding the "tolerance factor". If you're a moderate to a heavy drinker, that's the level at which your children will likely drink as well. As you drink more, your child will do the same -- a vicious circle resulting in the loss of any control over your child. You can expect them to tell you to "practice what you preach". Then there will be a confrontation, because you have become the one hunted. Regardless of how much you drink, consuming alcohol while simultaneously condemning it to your children is a sheer act of hypocrisy. The inclusion of alcohol can make even typical parent-child conflicts blow sky-high.

So if you are a gluttonous drinker on most days, it is time you put a limit to your indulgence. If you're looking to maintain your moral position in order to better guide your children, not consuming alcohol at all would be the best choice. Parents need to reduce their alcohol consumption. Dads should not consume more than 3 alcoholic beverages per special occasion and never more than six standards a week. Mothers need to reduce the amount of products they drink by one third. There should be at least three days each week when parents together are alcohol-free and spending quality time with their children. Do their activities. Make sure you keep a close eye on them but keep it cool.

There is no shortage of reasons to avoid alcohol. Are you kids first in your life?


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