<p>It seems today that most teenagers drink or use some kind of drug (marijuana being the most popular, I think). If you somehow knew that your child just didn’t like alcohol or using drugs, would you find it odd? </p>
<p>I suppose that parents would say that they would be happy, but I’ve seen that when the actual situation is presented to them, it’s sometimes even a concern for the parent. My dad in particular was kind of shocked and somewhat worried when he first started noticing my brother and I would never drink, even at a party. </p>
<p>I’d be absolutely fine with it. Better by far than if I knew my kids were inclined to use alcohol in excess. I’d be especially happy about their decision to abstain if they are under the legal drinking age. If they are fully and legally adult, I’d still not mind in the least if they determined to be drug and alcohol free. Ansar, has you Dad stated why it’s important to him that you and your brother imbibe?</p>
<p>D didn’t drink until she got to college (and then only lightly) and S, who will be a freshman in the fall, doesn’t drink (yet). He’s tried various things, and thinks they all taste awful. As a result, he was the designated driver for his friends in HS. Both our kids are naturally cautious, and having seen their friends drunk, can’t understand why people would want to voluntarily be in that state. It’s unusual, to be sure, but we’re delighted.</p>
<p>As far as I can tell neither of mine drink at all. The older one (over 21) I don’t think ever will. He’s a very picky eater and won’t even sniff the stuff because it smells bad. He doesn’t drink coffee or tea either. He’s very much like my sister-in-law. </p>
<p>I think my younger son will eventually find something he likes to drink, but he seems to be in no hurry. He also thinks it all tastes bad, but he’s a more adventurous eater and more likely to do what others are doing.</p>
<p>I didn’t drink till college- my D didn’t drink till college----yet we both managed to have a delightful High School experience. Though I will admit I liked college better! I was the Principal’s daughter- so my social life was real clean back then!</p>
<p>I am proud of the person my daughter has become. One friend of mine instilled in all of our girls before they went out…“Make good choices!”…mine did. Nothing weird at all about that. Just brilliant.</p>
<p>If parents let their kids know it is okay not to drink and you can have a good time without drinking then hopefully they will catch on. If alcohol is your only means of having fun and being social–time to reevaluate. That goes for parents and kids.</p>
<p>Son turned 21 last month and had his first drink a week or two later. He had a sip. He had a cup at a party later on. I don’t drink but my wife does (a little). Daughter shows no interest in drinking. Son says he liked the taste and was sure that he didn’t get buzzed. He’s the type that always likes to be in control.</p>
<p>Their stances have not bothered me in the least.</p>
<p>Younger S, 22, says he has never touched alcohol or drugs. He says he sees no reason to do them. I have been curious about why he has never even felt the desire to taste alcohol, but his decision is fine with me. I’m happy that he doesn’t feel the need for that kind of artificial stimulation.</p>
<p>Older S is so picky about foods that drinking has never been an issue. He would never be able to get past the smell. </p>
<p>Younger S will have a couple sips of wine at Passover with us. Had some sips of my beer in Germany and thought it was gross (I can only imagine what he’d think of American beer…). S2 is the only one tall enough to reach where the liquor is stored – so there has been a large element of faith in his decision making process over the years!</p>
<p>They have seen what drinking and drugs has done to their cousins’ family and that has been more influential than anything DH and I have ever said about the topic. DH and I consume very little alcohol – the occasional bottle of wine if friends come over for dinner. What we do have in the house is used mainly for cooking.</p>
<p>I am not of age until next week. My parents just assume I am lying about not drinking, it is assumed that I do not do drugs. When I expressed that I had no intention to ever drink, sometime in early college, my parents were kind of upset and told me that was immature. I didn’t get it.</p>
<p>You know what’s funny, I mentioned once in conversation with my grandma that I don’t really drink, and she said, “really? like not at all?” and sounded like she was in total disbelief. That really surprised me.</p>
<p>I’d be thrilled. I am not really concerned about drugs (my son is an athlete and has always showed a huge disdain for illegal substances of any kind), but the pressure for alcohol is huge. You have to have a huge sense of “self” to stand up against that pressure.</p>
<p>You dad is WRONG if he is showing any emotion except pride in your attitude. Perhaps he has some issues in his own past clouding his judgement?</p>
<p>OP–I meant, of course, that your Dad’s questioning your non-drinking was odd, not your question to us parents!</p>
<p>In HS (early 70s, when everyone was getting high, it seemed) I always said I didn’t want to do drugs, I had enough problems. Some people thought that was lame (or whatever word we used at the time.) I have never regretted my decision.</p>
<p>That poster didn’t say anything about beer specifically. But no matter, they do get it. Fake ID’s, older friends, parents’ liquor cabinets,liquor salesmen who don’t check id’s, etc.</p>
<p>Not at all. I know a lot folks who just don’t drink and even more who did not use illegal drugs ever. I didn’t and haven’t. Not even to try, and neither did about half the girls on my freshman floor. It’s really not true that EVERYBODY does it. It’s just that if you spend all of your time at functions where these activities are rampant, it sure does look like everybody does it since maybe everybody there is. There well may be other students all over campus not partaking in those activities. I always tell my second one that he seems to follow the scent of trouble when looking for things to do. There are other paths.</p>