My DD turned 14 this week and as a treat, my mum arranged a ‘girly’ sleepover at her house with my younger DD (12), mum’s best friend and her 13 yo foster child. The idea was they’d watch a film, have a takeout and perhaps have a pamper.
DD has returned home to tell me she had an alcopop. She was actively encouraged to have this by my mother who told her it “wasn’t real alcohol”. I have only ever offered DD a couple of sips of wine with a meal in the past, mostly to demystify it because she hated the taste and I figured it was a good method to deter her from underage drinking. She’s a good girl generally but she can be easily influenced. The foster child also had alcohol by the way and she is not only 13 but also a Muslim… My 12yo was encouraged too but thankfully had the nouse to decline.
It isn’t the first time something like this has happened. Last time they stayed at hers, my mother got blind drunk (pretty much comatose) and left the kids to do whatever the hell they wanted. I was irritated enough then, I don’t think adults in charge of children should ever be in a state like that personally.
I have said, perhaps in anger, I just don’t trust my mum with them anymore and I don’t want them to sleep over again. My DD is now extremely upset. Am I overreacting? I know alcopops are extremely low alcohol but I do think the fact they taste so much like pop is dangerous.