How do you handle your kids irrational fears?

[binny]

I know we talked about this kind of thing a lot after 9-11 ( though they werent irratrional) but I could use some advice.

The other night I was talking to a friend of mine on the phone and we were talking about doing a craft night. I said " sure come one over we'll have a bottle of wine and just enjoy chatting and doing crafts" now just so you all have some background I drink a glass of wine MAYBE once every 2 weeks and very rarely in front of the kids. Usually just when Im out with the girls.

Cam was in bed and overheard me talking about this and he called me in and said " mom Im worried about you drinking" I was stunned!!! I asked him why he felt that way and he said " well you said you were going to drink a bottle of wine" I told him that no, in fact, there were going to be 5 or 6 women here and TOGETHER we would be drinking ONE bottle of wine which would mean we would all drink about one glass. He said " But Drinking is really bad for you!" I explained to him that drinking in excess is a problem but one glass of wine or a bottle of beer once in awhile is ok IF youre a grown up and ONLY after your 21. OY

I guess my lectures are paying off finally.

How do you draw that line with your kids? Did I do ok do you think?

How would you have handled that?
Thanks

 

[kejoda]

I would of handled it the same. Maybe talk to him again about it maybe just before the women come over.

 

[newmousecateer]

I think you handled it perfectly.

What you did is called teaching responsibility. You were teaching that we can enjoy certain things in life without excess that is harmful.

I would say you did a great job.

 

[C.Ann]

Your explanation was an EXCELLENT one.. Children need to know that there are certain things that adults can do within reason and you did a fine job of pointing that out!

 

[JasonLyons]

I do the traditional "I AM GOING TO GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO CRY ABOUT", it worked on me