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Original poster

How much alcohol for a 15 year old?

569 replies

Dramatic · 31/07/2025 20:29

If your 15 year old was going to a party (supervised by parents at the house) how much alcohol would you allow them to take with them?

OP posts:
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6
mossymud · 31/07/2025 22:46

Wigglytails · 31/07/2025 22:29

None and if the parents of the party host knew about alcohol being consumed on their property I’d be having a word too.

Really? What would you say?

Lemonyyy · 31/07/2025 22:45

A 4 pack of kopparberg or similar. I don’t particularly worry about her as she likes the alcohol free ones just the same and would as soon take them, and isn’t friends with a boozy crowd. However, I also think most teens get properly pissed at some point around 15/16 and it’s better if it’s not all secretive!

Sortumn · 31/07/2025 22:45

Shots were a big thing when my middle one was attending 16 year old parties. Kids not realising how much alcohol they're having in a very short time is a worry.

verycloakanddaggers · 31/07/2025 22:44

LeaAndDer · 31/07/2025 21:18

You thought they didn’t know but they did. You forget they were young once.

My daughter got short with me when g/d was on a sleepover with me and I asked could she have a glass of wine. She’s 15.

I remember my daughter drinking at 14. Her partner also drinking at 14.

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She wants better for her daughter, that's a good thing.

Maxorias · 31/07/2025 22:44

I think it depends a lot on the child. My sibling and I had a similar education regarding alcohol (occasional glass allowed from 15 under parental control). The result is he is an alcoholic and I'm not. It's not what my parents did or didn't do, I don't think. Just different characters and different experiences.

This said I wouldn't be fully comfortable with a 15yo going to a party with alcohol. Any alcohol I had at that age was at home.

Biker47 · 31/07/2025 22:43

My dad would typically buy me 4 cars of lager when we started drinking at each others houses.

NewbieYou · 31/07/2025 22:43

None. My best mate fell asleep after drinking at that age and wouldn’t wake up. She was blue lighted to hospital and had to have her stomach pumped.

Alcohol is more dangerous for teenagers too - it affects their brain development.

strawlight · 31/07/2025 22:43

At 15/16 a couple of cans of Koppaberg, a couple of cans of coke, and a tube of Pringles. They may drink someone elses stronger booze if they haven’t got anything. Tell them to do zebra drinking if they must - alternating alcoholic/soft drinks - so they don’t make a tit of themselves at parties.

mossymud · 31/07/2025 22:42

This thread is not a true reflection of what parents will do in this situation. Because my year 10 dc has been to two parties in the last month that were supervised by the parents and alcohol was both permitted and provided at both parties. Both well attended (50-100 people) and situation re booze was known in advance.

Those parents are much less likely to post than those that wouldn’t dream of encouraging underage drinking. But it’s probably 50/50. Anyway, in answer to the original question, four cans/bottles of beer. No spirits but expect them to procure some from somewhere.

goldfishbowl2025 · 31/07/2025 22:40

How about none?!

Pixiedust49 · 31/07/2025 22:38

Couldthiswork · 31/07/2025 22:34

Yet another example of Mumsnet bearing no resemblance to real life 😂

I was just thinking this! The horror stories I have heard from my DC about 15/16 year old parties locally! A few fruity ciders would be the least of my worries 🫣

Littlemisscapable · 31/07/2025 22:38

mrsm43s · 31/07/2025 20:33

Now, I'm a pretty chilled Mum, but at 15, none. At 16 maybe 2 cans of weak beer/cider/cheap premixed cocktail.

Biggest thing I'd insist on, if alcohol is at the party, you collect them, and no sleeping over.

This. Too young

Snugglemonkey · 31/07/2025 22:37

Pringlebeak · 31/07/2025 20:48

If you're a responsible parent you have a talk to them beforehand and tell them not to do that.

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🤣 of course every teenager only does exactly what their parent tells them to.

shuggles · 31/07/2025 22:37

Dramatic · 31/07/2025 20:29

If your 15 year old was going to a party (supervised by parents at the house) how much alcohol would you allow them to take with them?

A party supervised by parents, sounds like a really fun drinking session.

Your DS needs a friend with an "empty." At 15 years old, a 4 pack should be enough to get drunk.

TroysMammy · 31/07/2025 22:35

None. Have you never heard of age restrictions?

Couldthiswork · 31/07/2025 22:34

Yet another example of Mumsnet bearing no resemblance to real life 😂

GlitteryUnicornSparkles · 31/07/2025 22:34

ThatLoudBear · 31/07/2025 20:33

4 pack or a bottle of wine.

Looks like we’re in the minority. This is probably what I’d send too.

Coconutter24 · 31/07/2025 22:33

Mokel · 31/07/2025 21:10

Unless there is clear evidence in the shop - ie teen giving adult money to buy alcohol. Nobody is going to know who is drinking that alcohol purchased.

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So because nobody knows it’s not a crime?

Kateb12 · 31/07/2025 22:32

mrsm43s · 31/07/2025 20:33

Now, I'm a pretty chilled Mum, but at 15, none. At 16 maybe 2 cans of weak beer/cider/cheap premixed cocktail.

Biggest thing I'd insist on, if alcohol is at the party, you collect them, and no sleeping over.

Yeah you seem really chilled 😎

mamaduckbone · 31/07/2025 22:31

It depends on whereabouts in 15 they are...ds has only just turned 16 in July after finishing his GCSEs, so for after prom and other summer parties he's been allowed to take 3 or 4 beers (and has drunk considerably more than that on occasion!)
Last summer, just 15 between y10 and y11, nothing.
Ds being one of the youngest we've always gone more with school year than actual age.

CarefullyCuratedFurniture · 31/07/2025 22:29

Couple of bottles of vodka and a crate of Special Brew. Start as you mean to go on.

Where's the eye roll smiley?

Wigglytails · 31/07/2025 22:29

None and if the parents of the party host knew about alcohol being consumed on their property I’d be having a word too.

ShesTheAlbatross · 31/07/2025 22:29

Thisismetooaswell · 31/07/2025 21:57

I can’t believe the number of people saying none. What do you think your kids are going to do if you prohibit it?

Exactly the same as if I don’t? My parents never provided alcohol - I wasn’t downing spirits alone while everyone whose parents gave them a few cans dutifully drank those and nothing else.

JadeMember · 31/07/2025 22:28

Drivingthevengabus · 31/07/2025 21:52

Agree. That's why I have given my teen a small amount of alcohol.

By providing a small, sensible amount of alcohol (even if they chose to drink more from other sources) you are not making booze a taboo. If mum and dad say you can have some, it's no where near as exciting as if it's forbidden fruit.

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I’m not sure if I’m commenting on the right post but I don’t agree with the Europe ways or introducing alcohol early. My cousin is raising her son in EU country. At 12y, he started drinking non alcoholic beer, at 14 he moved on to alcoholic beer ( drinking when his mum is present). Now he is 16 and he drinks vodka on the regular basis to the point where he comes home drunk every Friday and Saturday. I understand what you are saying though. I wouldn’t forbid my teenagers to drink alcohol but they are not interested atm so I’m not going to start introducing them to alcohol at home

Funnywonder · 31/07/2025 22:28

I would say a couple of tins of something fairly weak - flavoured cider or whatever. I allowed DS1 to do that at 15/16 for St Patrick’s Day/New Year. He’s 17 now and has no interest in alcohol whatsoever. DP barely drinks because he’s not that keen on the taste or effects of alcohol and I think DS1 has taken after him. Certainly didn’t take after me😆