not to let my DS (13yr old) drink coffee?

[Limara]

Appreciate your thoughts....

PMSL about the 'coke thing has never been an issue'. How do you know what your 13 year old drinks?

I'm not sure your ds will be happy if you get decaff. It's vile.

IMHO He's old enough to choose to drink coffee if he wants it.

So long as your son knows it's decaff. (I'm coming from the point of view that he is able to feel the effect coffee has so that he doesn't mistakenly neck 6 espresso's thinking coffee doesn't affect him).

I dunno. I will alter my position on the coffee front by letting him have a snifter in the morning as he does find it difficult to get to sleep but it seems as though we as parents are always letting them get away with more and more. I completely understand those of you who mention that other more dangerous things will come along and tempt him but if i've given in on previous issues then I'm being slightly weak surely? I do understand the concept of choosing my battles but where does it end generally?

NarkyPuffin, I don't get it? What do you mean?

isn't there caffeine in hot chocolate too ?

what about junk food and fizzy drinks in general, i am sure that sort of stuff regularly is far worse for them than the occasional coffee

LittleMisscantbewrong - thanks, been lurking a while

I let my 12 nearly 13 year old son drink coffee. It is real freshly brewed coffee every morning and we all have a cup (except my one year old!!) I do think that as parents we should ban as little as possible so that we don't endow it with more cachet than it deserves. If our kids think we ban everything then why on earth would they listen when we say no to drugs and cigarettes? He mostly drinks water at home, fizz;y and juice for treats at the weekend. I don't see the problem!!

You can't control their diet for ever ...when is it ok to drink coffee 16? ..as someone else said he probably guzzles red bull with his mates anyway

If you make a big stand over something that is obviously not particularly harmful and pretty age appropriate do you think he's likely to take any notice of you when it comes to more serious issues?

Take the opportunity to introduce it in the mornings, explain that if he chooses to have it later in the day it might keep him up, and you're laying good foundations for the future.

I grew up drinking coffee and tea.

Am 6 foot. caffeine has never harmed me

What I mean is that you only can only allow things that you are aware of. He's at an age when it's likely he's already drinking caffeine.

Hey guys, I haven't made a big stand about it. I am aware that caffeine is not that great for you otherwise we as adults wouldn't want to keep cutting down! Therefore why would I want to encourage my son to drink it? By encourage, I mean 'allow' IYKWIM?

This is why I thought i'd check with the general population -you lot, to see what you guy do/think etc.

Sorry for overreacting

Also, > I am aware of most things my son does, trust me. I haven't shit me pants when he's rocked up with high energy drinks I really haven't but I want my DS to know everything in moderation

Narky

hehe sorry I love the irony of you not shitting your pants when he's rocked up with high energy drinks (not just full of caffeine but lots f other shit ) - but you won't let him have a coffee.............

God mn is twisting my melon OK for you slow un's out there I will recap are we all here?

Please don't get 'eggy' Limara There is an important difference between 'allow' and 'encourage' I think. Also you could try the french way of doing things - ie to allow in a 'watered-down' form. All in all tho I think there's way too much fuss about caffeine.

Brief Recap-

high energy drink bought without knowledge-Didn't freak as I would say I'm fairly normal if there is such a word.

Coffee issue has been discussed and resolved by me allowing my DS a 'snifter' in the morning under tight control

Coke is strictly FORBIDDEN I tell you, in my house because I don't drink it therefore I don't buy it therefore it aint in my house. Just don't like fizzy drinks....

ALTHOUGH when we are out, the kids are offered COKE and I'm cool with it. Everything in moderation.

What exactly is wrong with caffeine?

I looked at that link and it said 'too much' can make you a bit jittery, raise your heart rate etc. Well, yeah. But those aren't going to cause any long term damage. And how much is too much anyway?

Cut down on excess sugar, fat, additives. But really, a cup of coffee isn't going to do children any harm.

In fact, it can be quite helpful for children with ADHD tendencies to help them calm down and focus.

My 18 month old regularly shares my tea and has the occasional swig of latte and he's a strapping lad.

Maybe the low they feel after the initial rush? Tbh, I just
know it's not that good for you but I don't know all the facts.

There is caffeine in your average bar of chocolate, presumably he eats that?

Is it just me but I've never felt a rush from coffee. I don't miss it if I don't have one but I like to have a hot drink sometimes. I'm not bothered if it's tea coffee, hot chocolate. Ofen it is a social drink or a drink used to break the day up eg 'I'll jusst have 5 mins, a brew and then I'll do......'

Ds is same, take it or leave it.

Surely this is such a non-issue?? I seriously can't believe a parent would stop a 13 year old drinking coffee ? How lucky if that is your main concern.