To not allow DS to drink tea and coffee age 12

[user1474221222]

DS started secondary school in September and recently asked if he could have a cup of coffee as a drink when arriving home.

I've said no but as a child of the 1970's I had my first cup of coffee age 4 after been taught how to make one for my parents

So am I just being unreasonable ?

I know 5more, at that age I expect him to make his own drinks, and be independent, he is a young adult. What 17 year old would allow their mum to make their 'special' tea, like you would a young child.

agree with some other posters, if he's very keen I would give a weak milky latte or decaff, it's about finding a middle ground and i think that's ok. I drink a lot of caffeine but wouldn't promote it to my children as you are not with yours, but think a fair compromise is ok at his age x

Tanin affects iron absorption but in small amount it's fine. Vitamin C aids absorption.

I'm amazed at the 17 yr old being refused coffee. My ds1 is 16 and has coffee every morning, I think he buys the odd one in the 6th form common room and has the odd one at home. I get him to make me one. Dtd likes tea has one in the morning and one or two in the evening. Dts hates tea or coffee. Fizzy drinks are limited and monster/red bull are not allowed. TBH idk if ds1 has tried them, he has his own money and travels to school without us.

My 12 year old has no interest in tea/coffee thankfully, and if he asked it would be a no.

Don't really see the benefit of drinking tea/coffee for a child?

Yup, my 17YO is pretty lazy when it comes to making his own scran. and he complains about the tea while he drinks it.

I have gut issues - multiple food intolerances and had bowel cancer in my early forties. Also chronic fatigue. That's my excuse for sitting around on MN - what's yours? Food intolerances/allergies and burn out/ME/chronic fatigue is becoming more common. I'm not saying it's caused by over consumption of caffeine - but it's definitely not to be actively encouraged IMO. I wish I hadn't grown up expecting a sweet thing after every meal - now I feel a meal is unfinished without a sweet thing after it. I bet the NHS wishes there was a different culture too. There's no known safe limit for caffeine, sugar or alcohol - it all depends on the individual. Caffeine has some good properties but over time it becomes more tolerated requiring more and more to get the same kick from it. It is highly acidic and bad for gut flora. And it raises blood sugar levels. If OP wants to restrict her 12YO's intake of caffeine and she has the energy to pick this battle good for her . IMO

17? And they ask you what they can drink? Holy Moly...........

Christ a 17yo not allowed coffee

I must be missing something serious about coffee

Reality It is a gateway drink to harder things, like Mocha-Lattes and Caramel-Frappes v v dangerous

What's wrong with coffee in small amounts? (serious question)

There's a costa machine in the garage across the road from the high school here, i see lots of kids wondering about with costa cups.

Very unreasonable. Tea is really good for you and coffe isn't bad if you are not sensitive to caffeine or have decaf. Far better that these ghastly fuzzy drinks, coke and so on.

My 3 year old drinks tea. No sugar. Nearly all milk and just threaten the hot water with the teabag. Won't drink water and I don't like artificially sweetened soft drinks.

Tea has great antioxidants

Bat shit crazy banning things like tea and coffee! The 12 year old will just want them more at high school where they will b readily available.

The 17 year old

I thought tea was really good.It is full of antioxidants- a super food!j

Fascinated by the 17yo who is so lacking in initiative that his coffee drinking habits could be influenced by his mum simply not making him a cuppa.

I expect I could ban my 16yo from drinking coffee at my expense, citing the cost of the beans or some other more or less spurious reason. But influence him by simply not leaping up to put the kettle on- no, don't see that one working. And chances are he would just go out and buy what he wanted with his own money.

rogue he can make it himself if he does not like it.

Very unreasonable not to allow him to drink some coffee! The odd cup of coffee won't do him any harm for goodness sake! If he's drinking it all day every day then it might.

Well, I allow my children to drink tea occasionally (9, 6 and 2) and I let the older ones try my latte last week which they declared disgusting. I think at 12 I would definitely allow them regular tea and milky coffee.

I'm half Scottish and used to get tea in my bottle as a baby (omg) but I don't let my 10yr old drink it.

Fascinated by the 17yo who is so lacking in initiative that his coffee drinking habits could be influenced by his mum simply not making him a cuppa.

He's probably got a Rocket Expresso machine up in his room. #justnodandsmile

At 16 my boyfriend was taking me to dinner, paying with his own money, each having a glass of wine with our meals. Imagine him not being able to offer me a cup of tea when we got in!

rogue is living on planet denial and WHERE is the op ? so many posters have asked what her son drinks or has asked questions but she has left the room. that's fair enough that she might not want to comment as there are a lot of wtf responses on here, but she really needs to realise we just might have a valid point, although in the end it is her business why ask aibu if you can't accept people just might say yes you are in their opinions

My 2 and 4 year olds love a cup of milky vanilla redbush tea. They also drink fennel tea for a tummy ache and mint tea after the school run.

My DH makes really good coffee in a fancy machine and DD aged 2 will beg for a tiny cup, she loves it (I don't drink coffee personally, but it does smell gorgeous)

We drank tea since, me & my sister, in our sippy cups!