I would react based on feelings first and then try and educate my child. I would be angry, confused, and sad at my family member. I would feel betrayed by them for introducing/letting my child drink alcohol. After all my anger, confusion and emotional breakdown I would need to stop this behavior by figuring out what is going on.

There are so many problems with this scenario.

First, your child is going against a law and hopefully family rule. This would need to be addressed by discussing the situation when the child is sober and not around the family member that gave them alcohol. The answers that need to come from this discussion are why did they drink? What led them to going against the rules? How do they feel about what they did?

Second, you need to address the situation with said family member. Why would they give your child alcohol? How do they feel about what they did? What led them to go against your rules? How are you going to be able to trust them again.

Last, but certainly not least you need to make sure this doesn't happen again. There are some great websites for walking you through different situations.

Most of all talk to your kids, know what they are doing, be a part of their lives and if you currently can't stand each other, change! If alcoholism runs in your family, only you can break the family tree. Get Help before it continues on!

You should never compromise when it comes to your child's health, career and life. The best way would be to give the person a sincere warning and if he still does not change, then kick the person out of the house and keep a strict vigil over your child. It is sure that the person does not want the welfare of your family. Such persons should never be encouraged. Now, as far as your child is concerned, you can talk to him/her, try explaining things to him and do the following things;

1. Offer your child to drink in front of you and not to hide it. Tell him/her that you will pay for his/her drinks if he/she drinks at home, in your presence. This is put him/her in deep shame and he/she will lose all interest in drinking.
2. Explain to him the ill effects of drinking and show him some examples.
3. If the situation is much aggravated, take your child to a good doctor and counselor (psychiatrist) without his/her knowledge and this may truly help.

Hope that helps. Thanks

If my kids were younger the heck with 3 strikes and your out in the case of someone giving my kids booze. It's an auto out of my house with a do not return sign.

My kids are all older so I cannot always watch them with the booze. I still have 2 under the legal age and I know one of them drinks. The drinking occurs with his friends at their house's on the weekend, I cannot control it.