Much of adult population are poor role models. Hey!

ANECDOTAL evidence gathered over the last few years has all pointed to a frightening increase in the number of children being exposed to the dangers of excessive drinking at an early age. But today's statistics obtained by the Evening News confirm that in the Lothians this has indeed grown to a dangerous level with an average of two children a week now requiring hospital treatment as a result of alcohol abuse.

It would be all too easy to lay the blame squarely on the children for their own indiscipline and misguided experimentation were it not for the truth - that the country's booze culture is largely responsible and much of the adult population are poor role models for the growing generation to follow.

Children who come from households where alcohol is abused, or taken in excess, cannot be expected to know any better. Relatively speaking, alcohol is cheap and readily available. Despite laws and the efforts of many responsible shopkeepers to uphold them it is easily passed on to minors by those of legal age.

I have seen plenty of evidence concerning this subject as well. And I would have to concur.

There are plenty of people who may very well be the worst possible parent their children could have. And yet they are stuck with them.

Before you become a parent you should ask yourself these questions:

• Are you done being a kid? You cannot parent if you still need parenting of your own.
• Do you need to be the center of attention all of the time? Get ready for that to change.
• Do you want to be a parent because you want to be loved? Or do you have love to give?
• Are you ready to sacrifice your dreams to support the dreams of your child?
• Are you ready to have a mature loving relationship with your spouse?
• Are you really prepared for the emotional rollercoaster that parenting can become? You may not get off until the ride comes to a complete stop, in 18 to 21 years.

I would like to tell you that I had all of these figured out before I became a parent, but that would be a lie. I made a number of mistakes. But I had one unwavering quality. I loved my daughter.

I loved her in the morning. I loved her in the evening. I loved her when she was good. I loved her when she was naughty. I told her I loved her everyday. And I meant it. And now everytime she talks to me, she tells me she loves me. And she means it.

You may not be perfect, but you should never stop trying. But the one thing you must never fail to do is to tell your child how much you love them. And mean every single word.