Talking about underage drinking: A vital step on the holiday checklist
Nov 12, 2025, 5:39 PM | Updated: 7:54 pm
Parents Empowered says having early and consistent conversations with underage kids about drinking helps them stay away from alcohol and all the dangers that come with it. (Adobe Stock)
(Adobe Stock)
SALT LAKE CITY — As parents are checking off their holiday to-do list, experts with ParentsEmpowered.org are reminding them to talk to their kids about the harms of underage drinking.
Holiday celebrations with family and friends can sometimes include alcohol. That’s why it’s up to parents to prepare their children beforehand to help them make the right decision.
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Parents Empowered produces ads coaching parents and kids to work together to prevent underage drinking.
“I wish that they knew that they [the parents] are the number one reason why kids won’t drink underage,” said Natalie Tippets, a health educator with Bear River Health.
She works with the campaign and educates parents, especially this time of year, to talk about alcohol with their children.
“There’s a lot of holiday celebrations which are a lot of fun, but they’re also sometimes alcohol involved which is fine for the adults,” Tippets said.
She says parents can set expectations and boundaries.
“A good one to focus on is what will you do if there is alcohol,” Tippets said.
Buffy Blunck is a mom and health teacher. She’s learned with her 14-year-old son, Zeb, that communication is key.
“Especially now with social media, that the more you talk about it, the openly you talk about it, the more comfortable you are, then the more comfortable they’ll be,” Blunck said.
She knows her son will encounter tough situations and if he ever needs help, she is just a call or text away. No questions asked.
“I rather have them be prepared and protected,” Blunck said.
Parents Empowered stresses no amount of alcohol is safe for kids, not even a sip.
“There’s a lot of rapid growth and development happening in young brains even up until mid-20s,” Tippets said.
Parents staying involved in their child’s life and creating those strong bonds can make a difference.
“I’m invested in his life outside of just grades, which is very important,” Blunck said. “But more importantly, just being invested in what’s important to him and knowing that he is faced with lots of different, difficult things.”
Experts say the earlier parents start these conversations about underage drinking and other tough situations, the more confident their child will be in making safe choices.
Zeb Blunck feels good about his talks with his mom.
“I know she’s open and she trusts me, and she knows that I can be good in those situations, and I can handle them,” he said.
The Parents Empowered website offers additional tools, tips and real-life stories to help guide these important talks about underage drinking and more.
