I caught my 15 year old girl drinking ...?

Question

Last night my son came to me with a picture of my 15 year old daughter drinking. I confronted her about it and she admitted to doing it and said that yes it was the night before. She said that she came across old friends and they had it and she only had a couple sips. I am so shocked and disappointed in her for doing this. I really don't know what to do. Any suggestions? Should i ground her, because part of me wants to ground her for the rest of the summer.

Answer 1

This is a very difficult situation. I am 20 now, and I never drank at all while in high school. Coming from the younger point of view, I think you need to tread verrry carefully. Once kids get to that age, they will do what they want no matter what their parents do. Your daughter was honest with you so you should give her a bit of a break. However, you should let her know that she has hurt you and broken your trust. I think you should talk to her about drinking and how it can make you do stupid things. Tell her there will be a point in her life where she can make the decision to drink, but it is NOT now. Even though nothing bad happened this time, there is always a next time. Inform her about the consequences and how it affects development. Then work out a punishment that is fair for both of you. The whole summer is a little extreme. Also, keep an eye on her. She may say she won't ever drink again, but temptation generally lurks in the form of "old friends." Sorry this answer is soo long. But, believe me, I know this issue inside and out.

Answer 2

Kids are curious. They do that type of stuff. You just need to let them know what can happen and the dangers. Don't ground her, but have some limits as to when and where she goes. Now, that you know they are drinking... make sure of who is driving her from place to place.

The drinking will only get worse as the years go by. SO try to get all the details you can now to ensure her safety. Being in cars with drunks driving is very dangerous. Make sure your daughter doesnt get in a car with people that are drunk.

Tell her that no matter where she is, if she needs a ride you will be there.

Answer 3

I don't believe in grounding...do YOU want to be stuck with a whiny, bored 15 year old all summer?  Also SHOULD she be disciplined at all?  What was she drinking?  I have photos of my 11 year old drinking...juice.  Drinking is a normal process for humans when they are thirstly.  

If it was alcohol I suggest taking her to an AA meeting as well as a homeless shelter or the detox unit of a police station and see what alcohol leads to.

Answer 4

I vvouldnt ground her for the rest of the summer because then she'll just get mad and vvant to get even and do vvorse things. Atleast she vvas being honest vvith you about it and didnt lie to you. I'd just talk to her about hovv dangerous it can be and that she is vvay too young to be drinking, let her knovv that if she does it again there vvill be serious punishment.

Answer 5

ok thats bad! try making her understand that what she did was wrong and the consequences of drinking. make her promise that she wouldn't do it again. and ground her for a week and not the entire summer. keep a close watch on her for a couple of days. if you still dont know what to do then visit a pro consultant

Answer 6

ground her but like for a week and she just wanted to know wat is was like at less she told you the truth most kids will not. be happy it wasnt drugs.

Answer 7

wow. thats harsh. if you do that you may be the strictest mother alive. i have heard of kids getting in trouble for getting drunk but not for having a few sips.

when i was in h/s i didn't know one person who didn't even at least try alcohol so id say shes normal/curious. just explain to her the dangers/responsibilities that come along w drinking.

give her a break shes young.

Answer 8

She did something illegal! You need to realize that. She will continue to do illegal things if there are no consequences ... that's how criminals are made.

DO NOT let her drive, PERIOD. Choose the behaviour and you choose the consequences.

Yes I would do more than ground her for the rest of the summer. Parents have not done their job here and that's why there are so many drunks, drunk drivers, and irresponsible people ... It's your JOB to teach your child right from wrong ... no one else's.

Answer 9

Do not let her drive.  Can you imagine her getting a DWI on your insurance? What would the Child Protective Services do if they found out your kid was drinking? I don't care if it's a drop of alcohol. First of all it's illegal and the state could come after you for not being a better parent. She has to learn right from wrong. Never, ever let her get behind the wheel. If she does not change ... send her to Military School.

Answer 10

i'd say that we do it just to experiment. don't ground her. just give her a warning