Teach your teens about EANABs
Posted on 22. Aug, 2009 by kchristieh in food, parenting
One of the first things I learned in RA training at Stanford in the mid-80′s was to provide EANABs (Equally Attractive Non-Alcoholic Beverages) at parties. This didn’t mean water or cheap soda: the non-alcoholic drinks needed to be just as enticing as the alcoholic ones. The goal was to make people who didn’t drink alcohol feel welcome, and to give people who did drink alcohol something to supplement it so they didn’t have too much. I didn’t realize that “EANAB” was primarily a Stanford acronym until I just did a Google search and most references involved Stanford. Maybe that’s why I felt so comfortable there.
I was reminded of EANABs this afternoon when my daughter hauled a 12-pack of Diet Coke to the shopping cart and declared that she wanted to bring some EANABs to a party this evening. I was impressed that she’d remembered what I’d taught her, and told her that any time she wanted to purchase EANABs, even through college, I’d be happy to pay.
Hopefully kids are making wise decisions this evening. Teens are scary sometimes. :(
I’d never heard the term before, but I’ve been providing EANABS at my gatherings for a long time–just not specifically for teens. Whenever I’m serving alcohol, I also like to make a non-alcoholic drink for those who prefer it. Often it’s the same as a cocktail I’m making, but virgin.
It seems like this might be a low-stress way for a teen or college student to abstain from alcohol at a party; for example, if you put cranberry juice and 7-up in a clear cup, it looks the same as a cocktail. Not that I’m saying a teen should feel compelled to pretend s/he’s drinking a “real” drink, but for some (especially shy ones who don’t want to draw attention to themselves) this might be a comfortable solution.
KCher, you need to publish a book on all the knowledge (or stuff) you have stuffed in your brain! I always learn some new piece of info her.
3 cheers for the EANABS. I have to say as a non-drinker, the environment at Stanford was very comfortable to me. The EANAB policy was great. I liked knowing that no one would care if I had the diet coke instead. I’m definitely going to carry on the tradition.
So what does your daughter say about the availability of alcohol at the party she frequents? How have you talked about this with her?