My teen and alcohol!!

[user1483390742]

My 15 year old DD has asked if she can have a drink at Christmas dinner with us. It would probably be wine or fizz. I'm wondering whether to let her have a spritzer- half wine and half lemonade. Should i? Shouldn't i?

Yes why not? One glass will not hurt with a meal

I would & did let mine at that age.

I think the fact you are asking the question means you are unhappy with the idea.
I have let all my teens drink (small amount of) alcohol at special events.
Yesterday I believe experts were saying it was never ok to do this though.
I was always allowed a sherry glass of fizz from about 14 (also cider at parties from 16) and I believe I have a reasonably level-headed and measured relationship with alcohol.
I think your decision depends on your family dynamic. Personally I wouldn't hesitate.

Good thinking Snowballs! I might mix it with soda!

Sorry, shouldn't laugh Snowballs, but that is a 'classic' as my teen would say!

My children are a little older now and will be drinking whatever they like (so long as they leave us some ) this Christmas. At 15 I would have offered a small glass of wine and a taste of any spirits we were drinking. I'd avoid mixers except for water/ soda as they can hide the taste of alcohol which means they could easily drink more than is a good idea.

When I was 15, in the early 90s, I had no problem being served in the pub - how times have changed!

I personally had my first sip of alcohol when I was 1 (this is not a typo) and for the rest of my childhood I had spritzer with fizzy water, port wine and beer in shot glasses when the occasion warranted it. So I never drink during the week and I'll never drink more than 2 small classes of wine or 3 of strong beer of an evening.

Never saw my parents or any of my family drunk at all ever. This is what I believe is the key to this, not when you are introduced to alcohol as such.

Oh blimey I was going out drinking & nightclubbing at 15.

I would let a 15 year old have a glass of wine. my two DSs don't like the taste though.

Personally, I did and will let my 3 older boys have a drink at Christmas. My boys are 22, 17, 15 and 6. Especially DS2 will want what ever he can't have so if I allow him to have some I can control it. My biggest fear is they turn into their father who is an alcoholic. He was not allowed to drink until 18 and then had an "I can drink as much as I like now I'm 18" attitude. DS1 has been allowed to drink Since about 14 (limited to special occasions and amount obviously) and alcohol has never been a novelty to him like a lot of his friends.

Shes probably downing cider and vodka behind your back anyway.

I've bought my 15 and 16 year old a bottle to share.

I'll probably even let my 8 and 12 year old have a small spritzer with dinner.

I would spritzer it all the way.

My parents wouldn't allow it and weren't big drinkers but remember feeling really patronised on NYE at 15 when they were having Buck's Fizz (!) and offered me "a glass of juice".

They made alcohol too much of a big deal and I went nuts experimenting behind their back