My partner and I enjoy our drinks—sometimes a bit more than we should. At any given time, you can find a stock of beer in the fridge and a couple of cases of wine, especially after a trip to the local grocery store. Our basement shelf is lined with bottles of hard liquor in various states of fullness.
We have two teenage sons who often spend their time gaming or hanging out with friends. Recently, a friend of mine inquired about where we kept our alcohol, expressing shock when I mentioned it was simply on a shelf in the basement. She couldn’t fathom why we’d leave it unguarded around our teens. Honestly, I hadn’t even considered locking it up! Was I being an irresponsible parent for not thinking about it? I even enlisted my boys to help carry the alcohol downstairs after grocery runs!
After a moment of panic thinking about my boys possibly sneaking a drink, I took a step back and considered the reality. Would they really be curious enough to try a beer or sip the whiskey? The wine was a definite no—they can barely manage to remember their chores, let alone figure out a corkscrew! But then I imagined the worst-case scenario: what if they did take a drink and I found them passed out? What if one of their friends dared them to try something? I could picture the phone call now—“Your son is completely drunk and needs a ride home.” I’d have to admit that the alcohol was mine, and I could already see the gossip at the next school meeting.
But then I really thought about my kids. They’re responsible. They get good grades, respect curfews, and maintain good manners. They’re athletes and decent human beings overall. This doesn’t mean they wouldn’t think about sneaking a drink, but it does mean that they’ve earned my trust. I trust them to be alone in the house and not come home to a scene that would make me panic. I trust they know what’s right and wrong, and if they did take a sip of whiskey, the burn would likely deter them from doing it again.
When my boys were younger, I didn’t hide knives or lock up cabinets. I wanted them to learn about right and wrong, to ask questions, and to navigate curiosity. Over the years, they’ve heard about my own teenage misadventures—skipping school and sneaking into parties. While I don’t take pride in those moments, they were valuable lessons. My boys understand that their grandparents had the same trust in me as I have in them.
My sons aren’t perfect, and I know they won’t always make the right choices. But I’m not the kind of parent who believes locking up alcohol is the solution. I want them to learn from mistakes and understand the conversations that come with underage drinking, honesty, and respect. I aim to maintain open communication while setting clear boundaries. In doing so, I hope they are absorbing these lessons, and I can keep enjoying our drinks without fear.
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Summary:
In this article, Jessica shares her perspective on not locking up alcohol in a household with teenage boys. She reflects on trust, responsibility, and the importance of open communication with her children. Rather than succumbing to fear and anxiety about potential underage drinking, she emphasizes the lessons learned from her own upbringing and the confidence she has in her sons’ ability to make good decisions.