To drink or not to drink that is the problem

(3) Dear Uncle Sunny,
My husband and I are raising four beautiful children. Our oldest daughter, age 15, has admitted to us that she has been drinking alcohol at parties on weekends. She says she never gets drunk but always has one drink because "everyone else is doing it" and she doesn't want to look "weird."
My husband and I never drink. Alcohol is not served in our home. Our daughter is an honor student and never has caused us any trouble. She says we should appreciate her honesty and not be angry with her. How should we handle this?
— Beside Ourselves in Bebek
Dear Beside Ourselves,
Your daughter has fallen prey to peer pressure. Drinking itself isn’t a bad thing and her not getting drunk is a good sign. As a parent you should be very worried and I’m pleased to hear that you are so.

It’s important that you have a deep and personal talk with her. Tell her that drinking is her choice and whatever happens that she shouldn’t get drunk. However you must point out to the fact that she is giving into peer pressure and that is something dangerous. You have to tell her that one compromise will lead to another compromise until she does something wrong. It’s also important to tell her the reason why you don’t serve alcohol at all. Setting guidelines for her dose of drinking will be something basic but helpful.

Since the amount it takes for one to get drunk is different it should be a limit that’s set to her. Never be angry at her but love and accept her decision. However let her know that what she has done isn’t wrong but the way she has done it is wrong. Have a deep talk with her.