Originally Posted by aceventura3

Here is the difference in how I think and how I think you think and it applies to sex and other issues facing children.

I talk to my son about the risks/benefits of social alcohol consumption. My expectation is that he not socially drink alcohol while he is a minor, he understands that and he understands why. I don't hide alcohol in my house. I don't pretend that adults in my house don't drink alcohol. I don't exaggerate the risks. I don't lie about what I did or did not do when I was his age. I don't pretend that he won't be under tremendous peer pressure (I talk to him about how to handle it). I don't get uncomfortable when he wants to ask a question about it or talk about it. I don't censor the movies we watch showing alcohol consumption. I am not going to spy on him and he knows it. And at the end of it all - if he calls me in a drunken stupor from some party, I am going to drop everything I am doing, go pick him up and tell him that I appreciate the fact that he called me.

From your point of view it seems that you think I failed or that I am some kind of hypocrite, etc. - from my point of view I did not fail, I did what I could, and I am happy he will have an opportunity to grow from the experience. I will remind him that we are all imperfect and subject to making poor decisions. As long as he is willing to be held accountable and is willing to grow from his decisions, I will be in his corner - unconditionally. My gut tells me he is going to be o.k. and I wish I could say the same about some of his friends. It appears the die has already been cast.