Under age Drinking: What Would You Have Done??

@wachit14 (3595)
United States
August 19, 2008 11:01am CST
I have two children. My daughter is 16 and my son is 19 and is in college. My kids both know how my husband and I feel about under age drinking. We have strict rules about it to protect them and ourselves as in our state, parents are held responsible if under age kids are caught drinking while in their home. Although I know my son has admitted that he drinks a beer now and then at school. He has no car their and all parties are held on campus so everyone walks back to their dorm rooms and no one is driving. My daughter is well aware of the consequences and she said she has no real desire to drink any way since she knows someone from her school who was hospitalized for alcohol poisoning and that scared her pretty good. My daughter often invites her friends over to hang out and I encourage her to do that so I know where she is and who she's hanging out with. One night her best friend was over and two boys, who I've known for many years, were over. They were all hanging out in the sunroom and I have to walk through there to let my dogs out. We also keep our son's mini fridge in there for cold water bottles and juice. I wanted to grab a water bottle on my way back into the livingroom so I opened the fridge and right away noticed two cans of beer in there. I right away suspected that there was drinking that had been going on, because I could smell the faintest scent of beer. I called my daughter into the kitchen and she said that the boys brought over the beer, but they only brought the two cans and she told them how stupid they were for doing it. She also said to me that she told them not to open the cans in her house. I was in a real quandry about what to do. She had not been drinking as I couldn't smell any beer on her breath or on her clothes, but I'm quite sure at least one of the boys came into the house having already had a beer. The problem is I know these boys well and I know their parents very well too. My daughter begged me not to say anything to anyone. She said she would tell the boys that they had to leave by a certain time and they were not to bring the beer back out of the house. She told me she is very fearful of being labeled a snitch and I agreed that I wouldn't say anything, but they had to leave without the beer. Sure enough, they left shortly after and left the beer in the fridge. I've since seen at least one of the moms of one of the boys, but I said nothing about that night. I'm wondering if I did the right thing, but I didn't want to rat him out as I didn't want my daughter to be blamed for it. Did I do the right thing? What would you have done if you were me?
1 response
• United States
19 Aug 08
God, what a tough situation. On the one hand, I think you did the right thing - your daughter needs to be able to trust you or she will not come to you for things, and that's very important. On the other hand, I'm sure part of you is wondering if either of those boys has a problem and you could do something about it. What I would do from this point is sit down with your daughter - no pressure, no judgement. Let her know that you are keeping your part of the bargain by not saying anythng, but that you would like for her to keep an eye out for trouble with those two, or anyone else she knows that drinks. It's not uncommon for underage kids to drink, and it's not always a danger sign by itself, either - there are kids who can be responsible (although that seems rare). Your daughter seems like a responsible young lady, and if there's a problem and she knows it, I think she would say something to you at the very least. There will be some who disagree with what you did, but your first responsibility is to you and your family - and it's hard to protect your children if they stop trusting you and confiding in you. Good luck.
@wachit14 (3595)
• United States
19 Aug 08
I really want do want my daughter to be able to trust me so I agreed to not say anything. I suppose time will tell what will happen, but she shows no real interest in hanging out with them again. I know it must be so difficult to be a teenager in this day and age. I want what's best for both my kids, but I have found that I have to compromise about things that compromise my own values. It's very stressful, to say the least. Mylot has been good therapy for me though
• United States
19 Aug 08
Being a parent is tough, and I expect that I'll be a very controversial parent - my only interest is in protecting my kids, and if that means providing birth control (after making sure they are being responsible with their partner), picking them up if they get drunk so they don't drive drunk or ride with someone who is, then that's what I'll do, and I don't care what anyone has to say about it. My kids being able to come to me for everything is vital, and if they feel they will be treated too harshly, they won't come. I applaud you for knowing that as a parent, you have to compromise yourself sometimes to protect your kids - a thankless job, but someone has to do it.