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AIBU?

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Teenage drinking - WWYD

39 replies

krustykittens · 07/06/2024 01:33

We are part of a group of friends who all had kids around the same time. They are all hitting their teens or a bit older, and one couple are quite relaxed about their underage kids drinking. Not just the odd beer either, but spirits. How they want to parent is up to them but we are about to have BBQ and a big get together and I really do not feel comfortable with these young teens getting drunk at my house. We didn't allow our own kids to drink at a young age and nor do our other friends. Would it be unreasonable to talk to our friends before the party and basically say, "our house, our rules"? The kids who are legal age do drink, just to be clear, so it is not that case that none of the kids in the group drink.

OP posts:
Gcsunnyside23 · 07/06/2024 07:11

The 16 year old id be fine with having a few weaker drinks but not the 14 year old. I wouldn't even bring it up and just not offer them alcohol. If they ask just laugh and say no I can't, leave that for home

sleepyscientist · 07/06/2024 06:59

14 year old no for me but the 16 year old having one or two would be okay in my book. Maybe approach it with the parents as you aren't comfortable with it for the younger one. Do you know its actual alcohol tho we have alcohol free gins in our bar that I would allow DS to try at that age.

DanielGault · 07/06/2024 06:55

You need to stop worrying about what other people think of you! YANBU not wanting a 14 drinking in your house. A 16 y/o I might give a bit of leeway, but not much. Def not a 14 y/o though.

TheaBrandt · 07/06/2024 06:54

What the hell is wrong with them? Are they problem drinkers themselves?

Itllfalloff · 07/06/2024 06:52

krustykittens · 07/06/2024 02:02

Yes, I was thinking of something like that, or bucks fizz - you would have to drink a bath tub of the stuff to get drunk! I am really worried that their parents are going to get upset if we say something and everyone else agrees with them. But I don't want to have a discussion about this with the other parents behind this couple's back either.

You know what? fuck them! They’re grown ups. Do they honestly think that a 14 year old needs to have a beer at a barbecue to enjoy themselves??

Itllfalloff · 07/06/2024 06:51

If they want to be the ‘cool’ parents let them - but I wouldn’t be serving alcohol to children at my house. Nor would I want to handle drunk teens.

Statistics back up that teens who drink alcohol - whether supplied my their naice MC parents or not - are more likely to have alcohol issues later .

MumChp · 07/06/2024 06:46

No 14 or 16 yo guest drink alcohol in our house.
YANBU.

Calamitousness · 07/06/2024 06:42

@sashh just interested. Why do you think young teens need something to drink, other than soft drinks? Is it ok to expect they are hardened drinkers that will be ‘needing’ the taste of alcohol??

Calamitousness · 07/06/2024 06:40

God no. Do not give alcohol to underage kids. It’s a pretty sad state of affairs if you even have to let their parents know that before they come!

krustykittens · 07/06/2024 02:02

Yes, I was thinking of something like that, or bucks fizz - you would have to drink a bath tub of the stuff to get drunk! I am really worried that their parents are going to get upset if we say something and everyone else agrees with them. But I don't want to have a discussion about this with the other parents behind this couple's back either.

OP posts:
sashh · 07/06/2024 01:59

Your house your rules. But please have something they can drink, not just coke. Some alcohol free beer maybe.

GoodAfternoonGoodEveningAndGoodnight · 07/06/2024 01:51

YANBU.
They're entitled to parent how they want with their teens, but you are too.
I have teens and wouldn't be comfortable with that either.
If I was having a party no underage kids would be drinking.
If you don't like that, go home then.

krustykittens · 07/06/2024 01:49

They are 14 and 16. I really would not feel comfortable giving them a gin and tonic! They have only just started drinking at home, and while I know the other parents don't give their underage kids alcohol, I don't know if they would bend the rules to keep the peace. We have not discussed it - but I have seen their kids drinking at their home when we have visited in the last few months and I got the impression it was quite normal. We have been meeting up either without the kids or at outside venues where the kids would not be served a drink. This is the first get together we have had with the kids at one of our homes in the evening since this started so we are the test case, so to speak. I did allow my own 16 year old to have weak drinks at 16, like Bucks Fizz at Christmas, but nothing strong, like a strong wine, or spirits.

OP posts:
PeppermintPorpoise · 07/06/2024 01:41

YANBU. How old are these specific kids 🥴?