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Original poster

Is there anything I can do to stop my 11 year old being sold Monster drinks??

18 replies

SeanBeanIsMean · 09/07/2012 11:00

I've recently discovered that my son has been drinking a whole can of monster energy drink a day for the past few weeks. He apparently gets them from a newsagents near the school. He gets the money from his own bank.

He is ADD as it is and even if he wasn't - who the hell sells this shit to kids?

Is there anything I can do? he is of course aware that he isn't "allowed" these drinks and has since told me he's stopped buying them but I think he still gets them and dumps the can before he gets home.

OP posts:
Pandemoniaa · 09/07/2012 11:06

How old is your son? Only if he's secondary school age and walking himself to and from school I expect there's little you can do other than keep reinforcing your wish that he didn't buy these drinks. I suppose you could restrict his access to money but that's not a very reasonable alternative. It's not an uncommon occurrence either. My dcs used to scoff all sorts of shyte on the way home from school precisely because they knew I wouldn't have it in the house! They survived.

Dprince · 09/07/2012 11:07

Not really. Its not illegal. You could ask the shop owner to stop selling him it, but they don't have to agree. They shouldn't have to police your sons purchases unless for legal reasons.
If you suspect he is still doing it, the only way to actually stop him would be to stop him taking his bank card to school.

WorraLiberty · 09/07/2012 11:07

Yes

Stop giving him money

WorraLiberty · 09/07/2012 11:08

I mean stop giving him access to money

Pandemoniaa · 09/07/2012 11:08

Sorry. Just read the thread title. He's 11. Is this the same boy that has just ruined his new outfit? If so, he seems rather unwilling to listen to you - although I guess this may be part of his ADD.

Original poster
SeanBeanIsMean · 09/07/2012 11:09

He's only 11. I dread to think what that stuff has in it. Is it as bad as RedBull? only I know shops are not supposed to sell Redbull to under 16s.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 09/07/2012 11:14

Shops can sell to under 16's if they want to.

I think you're looking at this from the wrong angle

Your child is only 11. If he thinks it's fine to disobey you on this, where will it end?

If you think he's buying it and telling you lies, take his cash card away until you can trust him again.

SchrodingersMew · 09/07/2012 11:14

It says on the can that it's not suitable for children or persons sensitive to caffeine so maybe you could talk the shop owner round based on this?

They used to sell tea in my school though and tbh if you had a couple of cups of that it isn't much better, also coke contains a fair amount of caffeine along with a lot of other fizzy drinks that would probably be accessable from inside the school.

cocolepew · 09/07/2012 11:16

Tell your son to stop buying it. Its not up to the shopkeeper to parent him.

BlackOutTheSun · 09/07/2012 11:16

Shops can sell red bull and monster to children, it isn't an age related product.

When I worked in a shop we didn't sell it to children, the shop was next to a school and we were asked by the head master. If the shopkeeper would be willing and I doubt it as he would get a lot of stick then the only option would be not to allow your son the cash to buy it.

valiumredhead · 09/07/2012 11:17

OK, he is ELEVEN - just don't let him have access to his money, it really isn't that difficult.

Ds would love to buy all sorts of crap but limiting his money is a way forward.

It'd not the shop's responsibility, it's yours.

squeakytoy · 09/07/2012 11:18

Stop giving him money, treat him like a child and escort him to and from the school premises.

But legally you cant do anything about it.

valiumredhead · 09/07/2012 11:26

Yes, treat him like a child because at 11 he IS a child.

Pandemoniaa · 09/07/2012 11:29

At 11, if he's not capable of spending his money sensibly then you have to take some responsibility. Legally there's nothing you can do about it.

notsofrownieface · 09/07/2012 11:34

A can of Monster is the caffeine equivalent to two cans of redbull, or about four cans of coke. It is nasty stuff. I have just about kicked my redbull habit drinking 4-6 cans per day. I am a grown woman so I can only imagine what it is doing to an 11 year old boy.

I think the only thing you can do is talk to your ds.

MirandaGoshawk · 09/07/2012 11:38

I work in a shop that sells this stuff and I've asked about restrictions - there aren't any. I would find it difficult to not sell to your DS if you asked me to as his mates could get it for him, and you'd have to provide a photo and tell all six members of staff. It would be easier if there was a blanket no-under 16s restriction.

Newsagents sell lots of crap. Personally I hate Coke etc and I'd stop selling the Sun and some of the Pick me Up-type total crapola too but it's a free country and people want to buy it, just as they like watching JK.

HipHopOpotomus · 09/07/2012 11:38

well you can stop him buying the drinks but taking his ££ away (or access to his ££), and showing him reseach etc as to why you are concerned.

anklebitersmum · 09/07/2012 11:41

Take the card off him so he has no access to the money. End of. He is 11, he's the child. You are older and you're the parent.
What's going to happen, he throws a tantrum? So let him.
When he's thrown the biggest fit he can manage smile sweetly and keep the card. :o

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