To refuse to let DD drink coffee?

Are people really thus concerned about caffeine?

What harm do you think it might do?

It's just a mild stimulant used by most people in the world, delivered in the form of a delicious drink.

MillshakePickle your poor children. Are you going to control all there choices or just never let them have friends or freedom. Your attitude will mess them up more than a latte. Heaven forbid they ever do anything wrong with your attitude.

My son has been drinking coffee since he was 12 hes 21 now not an addicted yet.
She might have it at a mates house if you keep stopping her.
You can't control everything.

You sound obsessed with addiction. Not all of the millions of people who like coffee are addicts you know. Surprised your poor dd hasn't just been to Costa.

From about 2 years old my son used to.pinch coffee beans out of the hopper and has always loved a coffee. He's grown up now and still loves it but definitely isn't addicted, only having a cup every few days..There's loads of caffeine in tea too, everything in moderation is my view.

Stand your ground, op. I'm also addicted heavily to coffee. I started drinking coffee at 17 and haven't stopped since.

Neither have I. And I'm so happy I stuck with it! Coffee is one of those things that brings me joy every day. And there's strong evidence from multiple sources that it has reduced my cancer risk, too.
https://www.wcrf-uk.org/our-blog/coffee-cancer-latest-evidence/

I mean, you can do what you want at home, but at 13, if she really wants one, she'll just go to a coffee shop, so it seems kind of absurd to be policing something she can do perfectly happily by herself anyway...

If being neurotic means they will live physically healthier, happier and longer lives so be it.

And, no need to worry - there will be money available to pay for any furture therapy they may need.

Seriously, though, really? Has that made you feel better about yourself?

It's not being neurotic to want your kids to have the best start in life. Away from unnecessary additives, sugar, stimulants and UPF. My kids are normal kids, we teach moderation and knowing what is going into their bodies. Absolutely, nothing wrong with it. And, I shouldn't have to justify why I want to best for my children.

What kind of coffees does she want? Does she want to try your Nescafé Gold Blend or does she expect café coffees?

My nieces get Starbucks purely to clutch in Snapchat pics, which is a waste of money.

How much coffee do you drink OP in a typical day.

Having neurotic parents can have long lasting impacts on children too.

Fuck me..she's not asking to drink meths...it's coffee...shes already drunk it in nero, Starbucks, McDonald's, coffee one, pret...at her age I getting barred from pubs.
What do you think coffee today, crack tomorrow?

I introduced tea to my DS when he was 14 but waited until he was 16 to let him drink coffee. He is nearly 18 now and another proper coffee fiend.

Wow, I'm so surprised by a lot of these posts.

Absolutely no fucking way am I giving my kids a stimulant before 15/16. Not even decaf.

And no, I don't allow pop or fizzy drinks unless it's for an occasion or a massive treat. If we allow it, it's a clear one like appletiser or lemonade. We also limit chocolate and sweets but do allow those within reason.

It's a weird British obsession to give kids tea and coffee. There's absolutely no need for them to have it. It doesn't benefit children (or adults - beyond satisfying an addiction and increasing alertness)

Caffeine in children is known to cause an increase in anxiety, heart palpations, sleep issues, high heart rates, acid indigestion, and higher blood pressure. Who would honestly be willing to do that to their kids?

Stand your ground, op. I'm also addicted heavily to coffee. I started drinking coffee at 17 and haven't stopped since.

I drink lots of coffee at least 10 cups a day usually just instant, and have been since I was about early teens.
I just like the taste and warmth of it, sometimes I have tea instead but don't like the taste quite as much.
I don't feel that the cafine has any effect on me at all, if I feel ill I go off it for a few days with no headaches or other effects, I didn't drink any when I was pregnant as I went off the taste.
My DS also finds coffee has no effect other than tasting good.

It's not crystal meth

She’s 13! She can probably buy it in the school canteen! I thought this thread would be about a preschooler!

I've been drinking coffee since I was younger than your DD, I didn't start relying on it until much later, in my 20s. It's not a restricted substance, if she wants it she'll end up drinking it anyway.

It’s coffee, not crack

Why so much weird interest in coffee? You've made it attractive to her by making it into a big thing. Why don't you try to get more sleep and have a less stressful lifestyle.

She's 13 not 3. You're making it much more tempting by forbidding it.

I've been drinking it black, no sugar, since I was 14. I liked the intensity.

My 13yo has the odd coffee. Really he likes a milky latte. I sneakily use the decaf pods. I also drink decaf after about 3 anyway.

You're obsessed with the idea of addiction. You should have two espresso shots per day, about an hour and a half after you wake up. You'll have a few headaches but you'll be fixed your 'addiction' within 5 days.

Then let your DD try it.

This is a bit bonkers. If you don't want to be dependent on caffeine, you could just stop drinking it. You might have a few rubbish days until you have adjusted but you can absolutely stop having it if you want to.

I drink coffee every day but it doesn't upset my life if I can't have it. I just enjoy a cup or two with my breakfast and that's it. Happy to have decaf instead if that's what is on offer.

I think the problem here is your relationship with caffeine, which is at least partly psychological, not whether or not your daughter should try it.