There is no doubt in my mind that the example we set in the home has a powerful influence on our children. Sometimes however when children behave or think differently to the way we do, we are shocked and may ask the question, "Where did that (behaviour, attitude, value) come from?"
If we take drinking alcohol as an example, the way we use alcohol in the home, sends messages about what we depend on to help us cope with everyday life, what we use to help us relax, unwind, how we have fun, what we consider essential ingredients of 'the good life'.
One of my adult children made a comment to me a few years ago that my habit of pouring myself a glass of wine soon after I arrived home from work was becoming a bit too much of a habit! I was glad that he felt free to express his concerns to me and it woke me up to the fact that I should monitor my intake of wine more closely.
Children who grow up in households where alcohol is not used or is used moderately and responsibly are less likely to abuse alcohol as adults, but there are some who have never seen their parents drink irresponsibly, who binge drink. Alcohol abuse is rife among adolescents and kids from Christian households are no exception. What are parents to do?
I know of a number of adults who grew up in Christian households where alcohol was banned or considered evil, who tend to over indulge now (in my opinion). There seems to be a growing use of alcohol within the Christian community at every age and stage. Is this a reaction to an age of prohibition within Christian circles when alcohol was considered intrinsically evil? (Some of my younger readers may not remember this period but baby boomers do!)
Adolescents need education about the effects of alcohol on our bodies and the psychological impact of addictive behaviours. They need to know how alcohol affects our brains, our bodies, our self control, and that alcohol can kill us or hurt us, even if we are not the one drinking.
As a parent you must raise the issue with your teenagers. Even if there does not seem to be a problem, you will probably have to be the one to raise the subject. Talk with them about how they are managing peer pressure to drink, what they need to do to stay safe particularly in relation to driving or being a passenger in a car, what the law is in relation to consuming and purchasing alcohol. Just for the record, it is illegal to consume alcohol under 18 years of age.
Banning alcohol can promote the opposite effect on our young people and we can't control all their peer group influences, so we walk a fine line as parents. Praying for our young people and setting a responsible example ourselves is a good way to go.
By the way I discovered that half an hour of exercise such as a brisk walk or a swim is a much better way to unwind after work than having a glass of red!
