How to Talk to Your Kids About the Dangers of Drinking

Talking to your kids about alcohol isn’t a single, awkward lecture. It’s a series of intentional, age-appropriate conversations that evolve as they grow. In a culture where drinking is often portrayed as normal or even glamorous, parents have a powerful opportunity to shape how their children think about alcohol, risk, and responsibility.

Here’s how to approach the conversation in a way that is honest, practical, and grounded in your family’s values.

Start the Conversation Early

Many parents wait until high school to bring up alcohol. By then, your child may already be facing peer pressure. Instead, start laying the groundwork early. Twenty percent of brain development occurs after the age of three, and as children grow into teenagers, they’re still learning how to weigh risks, control impulses, and think long term. That means teenagers aren’t “bad” when they make impulsive choices—they’re still learning.

 Framing the conversation around growth rather than blame can make a huge difference. You might say:

• “Your brain is still developing, and alcohol can interfere with that.”
• “Good decision-making is something you build over time.”

This approach communicates respect while reinforcing responsibility.

Be Clear About the Legal Risks

Teens often believe legal consequences only apply if someone is “drunk.” That’s not always the case. Some states, like Texas, have a zero-tolerance law. This means it’s illegal for any minor to operate a vehicle with any detectable amount of alcohol in their system—even if it’s below 0.08%. 

Many teens assume staying under the standard legal limit keeps them safe from consequences. For minors, that assumption can lead to serious legal trouble.

Help your child understand:

• Zero-tolerance means zero.
• Even one drink can result in license suspension.
• A record involving alcohol can affect scholarships, college admissions, and jobs.

Keep the tone factual rather than threatening. Teens respond better to calm clarity than scare tactics.

Connect the Message to Their Values

Conversations about alcohol are more effective when tied to something meaningful in your child’s life.

For families who attend church, this is a natural place to reinforce the message. Approximately 20% of Americans attend church every week, and many churches offer Sunday school classes or youth programs that address real-life issues—including the dangers of alcohol misuse. If your child participates in Sunday school, ask what they’ve learned and build on those lessons at home.

You might say:

• “What did your youth group talk about this week?”
• “How do you think your faith guides decisions about drinking?”

When children hear consistent messages from both parents and trusted community leaders, those lessons tend to stick.

If your family isn’t involved in church, the same principle applies—tie the conversation to your shared values. Whether it’s health, discipline, personal responsibility, or academic goals, connect alcohol awareness to what matters most in your household.

Teach Practical Refusal Skills

Knowledge alone isn’t enough. Teens need tools. Role-play common scenarios:

• Someone offers them a drink at a party.
• Their ride home has been drinking.
• Friends pressure them by saying, “Don't be a chicken.”

Help them practice simple responses:

• “I’m driving.”
• “I’ve got practice tomorrow.”
• “Not my thing.”

You can also establish a family safety plan. Let them know they can call you anytime for a ride, no questions asked in the moment. Safety should always come first.

Model What You Expect

Children of all ages watch how adults handle alcohol.

If you choose to drink, do so responsibly. Avoid joking about using alcohol to cope with stress. Demonstrate moderation and never drive after drinking. If you’ve made mistakes in your past, sharing those lessons—appropriately and honestly—can make your guidance more credible.

Consistency between words and actions builds trust.

Keep the Dialogue Ongoing

Your first conversation about alcohol shouldn’t be your last.

As your child grows, the discussion should deepen. Ask open-ended questions:

• “What do kids at school think about drinking?”
• “Have you ever felt pressured?”
• “What would you do if your driver had been drinking?”

Listen more than you lecture. When teens feel heard, they’re more likely to open up.

Talking to your kids about the dangers of drinking is ultimately about equipping them—not controlling them. Acknowledge that they’re still learning and developing. Most importantly, keep the lines of communication open. When your child knows they can turn to you without fear or shame, you become their strongest ally in helping them make safe, responsible choices.

4 Simple Ways to Relax Without Much Effort

Image Credit: Toni Reed from Unsplash

While nobody wants to deal with it, stress can be one of the more major parts of many peoples’ lives. You’ll get a lot of this from work, for example, but your family life and other areas can also add to it. But, that doesn’t need to mean you’ve to settle for being stressed.

With the right ways to relax, you’ll end up feeling a lot more relaxed than you would’ve thought. Four of these could have an almost immediate impact on how you’re feeling.

Take a Bubble Bath

Bubble baths are one of the more obvious ways you can deal with your stress, and there are plenty of reasons why that’s the case. Once you’re in the bath, you’ll start relaxing almost instantly, and you could feel the stress melt off of your shoulders. It’s just a matter of making sure the bath’s as relaxing as possible.

Try adding a bath bomb and lighting a scented candle before getting in, and you’ll have no problem adding a bit of aromatherapy to the equation.

Try Legal THC or CBD

THC and CBD have both become increasingly legalized in many states, even if there are restrictions on them. But, you can still find a cannabis products store where you can try out a few options. These could have a lot more of an impact on your stress levels than you might’ve thought.

That’s especially true with vaping-related products and similar options. While you could need to take a careful approach with this, there’s no reason why it mightn’t be worth considering.

Unplug and Read a Book

It’s natural for more than a few people to scroll through their social media and other apps on their phones when they have a little spare time. This mightn’t be good for you, and catching up with everything could feel stressful. You could be much better off unplugging for a while and doing something else.

This gets you away from a source of stress while letting you focus on something more relaxing. Reading a book can be one of the better options for this.

Clean Your Home

While it sounds counterintuitive, cleaning your home could end up having more of an impact on your stress levels than you might’ve thought. The actual act itself lets you focus on something other than whatever’s stressing you out in the first place, giving you a chance to relax a little.

Then there’s the fact a clean home is a relaxing home. You’ll end up feeling noticeably better by the time everything’s properly cleaned. A proper spring cleaning can always be great.

Stress is a part of everyday life, but that doesn’t mean you’ve to settle for constantly being overwhelmed. You might just need to try the right ways to relax, and there should be a whole lot less to worry about.

Using a combination of them could be even better, and you might end up feeling the stress melt off of your shoulders. You’ll be feeling better before you know it.

Simple Hairstyles for Little Girls with Knotty Hair (Especially at the End of the Day!)

If you’re a parent of a busy little girl, you already know the struggle. They leave the house looking like a princess… and come home looking like they’ve wrestled the wind, the playground, and possibly a squirrel. By bedtime, those sweet strands are full of tangles, knots, and mystery crumbs.

Whether your daughter has fine wispy hair or thick flowing locks, knotty ends are so common — especially after school, daycare, sports, or outdoor adventures. The good news? A few simple hairstyles and the right products can make a world of difference.

Our daughter used to hate getting her hair brushed when she was little, she would cry and tell me how much it hurt so I persisted and kept at it to teach her it is really not that bad. Start slow and gentle and distract them and eventually you will be able to work it into your routine. It drives me crazy to see little girls with disastrous hair and when asked about it the mom says “she hates brushing her hair” or “she cries when I brush it” be the parent and get it done please. 

Now our daughter Brooke is 15 and spends over an hour a day on her hair and makeup so I must have done something right. Plus she always had nice clean, brushed or done up hair when she was little. So let’s take a look at how you can get that done each day.

Why Does Hair Get So Knotty?

Little girls are constantly moving — running, twirling, climbing, and snuggling into jackets and scarves. Friction from clothing, dry air, playground play, and even car seats can cause tangles to form quickly, especially at the ends.

If hair is worn down all day, those knots almost guarantee a battle at bedtime.

Simple Hairstyles That Prevent Knots

These easy styles help minimize tangling and make brushing at night much easier. When combined with a high quality shampoo and leave-in conditioner that is matched for her hair type, these hair styles will save you some grief.

My daughter absolutely loves how Curlsmith products help her hair to feel smooth, look shiny, and reduces the time spent detangling knots.

1. Classic Braids

Braids are one of the best protective styles for kids.

• Single braid down the back
• Two pigtail braids
• French or Dutch braids for longer days

Braids keep strands contained and reduce friction throughout the day.

2. Low Ponytail with a Soft Scrunchie

A simple low ponytail keeps hair gathered and controlled.

Tip: Use soft, fabric scrunchies instead of tight elastics to prevent breakage and damage.

3. Bubble Ponytail

This is a fun twist on a regular ponytail. Add elastics every few inches down the ponytail to create “bubbles.”

It keeps hair sectioned and prevents large knots from forming.

4. Half-Up, Half-Down

Perfect for girls who love wearing their hair down but need some control.

Pulling the top section back reduces tangling while still letting them feel “fancy.”

5. Messy Bun (Play-Ready Bun)

A simple bun keeps hair completely off the neck and shoulders.

Great for sports days or outdoor play.

The Secret Weapon: Detanglers & Conditioner

Adding a simple spray detangler or leave-in conditioner can be a game changer.

These products:

• Add moisture back into dry strands
• Reduce friction between hairs
• Make brushing smoother and less painful
• Help prevent split ends
• Reduce the number of knots forming during the day

Using a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush starting from the ends and working upward can also minimize breakage and tears.

If your daughter has especially dry or fine hair, a lightweight leave-in conditioner in the morning can help protect it throughout the day. The scent of Curlsmith products is so beautifully natural and delicate that it never overpowers the scent of all Brooke’s favourite perfumes so it is great to wear all day everyday. 

Ways to Keep Knots Away (Simple Daily Habits)

Here’s a quick checklist to make hair care easier:

• ✔ Brush hair gently in the morning before school
• ✔ Use a spray detangler before brushing
• ✔ Apply a small amount of leave-in conditioner for moisture
• ✔ Keep hair tied back during school and play
• ✔ Braid hair before bed to prevent overnight tangles
• ✔ Use silk or satin pillowcases to reduce friction
• ✔ Avoid tight elastics that cause breakage
• ✔ Trim ends regularly to prevent split ends
• ✔ Encourage your child not to constantly twirl or play with their hair
• ✔ Brush again lightly before bedtime to prevent severe matting

And an important bonus tip:

• ✔ Keeping your child’s hair tied back can also help reduce the risk of lice, especially during school and daycare seasons when outbreaks are common. Lice spread through head-to-head contact, and contained hair can help minimize that exposure.

Making Hair Time a Positive Experience

Hair care doesn’t have to be a daily battle. Turning it into a routine — maybe with a favourite song, a little chat about the day, or a special “hair basket” with pretty scrunchies — can make it something you both look forward to.

At the end of the day, we’re not just brushing knots out of hair. We’re untangling stories, playground drama, giggles, and growing-up moments.

A little preparation in the morning can save tears at night — and keep those beautiful little heads happy and healthy. Brooke has been using hair masks, oils, and salves looking for that perfect product. We are probably going to use Curlsmiths Rehab Salve next to see how it works out! If we have success and jaw dropping results we will definitely share them with all of you!

You can find these amazing products at your local Sephora store. Order online or walk in and shop your heart out!