To think it's stupid for parents to supply alcohol for 16yo birthday parties

[StorminNormin]

DD is in y11, preparing for her GCSEs. Her small circle of friends are gradually turning 16, and birthday party invitations are now coming with messages from parents ... they will be supplying alcohol and do we want them to make sure our DCs are excluded don't have any?

Last time I checked, the law said it was ok for parents to supply alcohol with a meal ... but I assumed it meant to their own kids, not others. I started drinking at 16 but it wasn't supplied by parents ... we were getting away with looking 18 in pubs or inviting older boys to parties, who arrived with illicit bottles of cider.

These are fit, healthy, bright kids who don't need alcohol to have a good time and wouldn't miss it if it wasn't there. The last thing they need in the run up to their exams is a weekend hangover. So why are parents encouraging them to think you can't have a "grown up" party without it?

Last time I checked, the law said it was ok for parents to supply alcohol with a meal.

You might want to check again here OP.

You’re mixing up licensed premises with private homes where it’s only illegal if they’re under 5.

It’s a mixed message

Ok for kids to drink at home over 5, not ok for adults to buy kids alcohol - assuming you drink elsewhere?

Doesn’t state if that applies to your own children or other people’s.

Not really clear.

I supplied alcohol for DDs party. We made jugs of cocktails that had a small amount of vodka and a lot of lemonade and fruit juice. Her friends loved them and no one had enough alcohol to be anywhere near drunk.

My mum bought alcohol for my 16th birthday - this would have been 2004. She would have rather that than us buying alcohol illegally and drinking it in parks (which I was doing as well of course )

When I was a teen (16-17) my mother would give me a couple of alcopops/cider for a party but wouldn’t serve it to other teens or buy me enough to share. She was OK with me experimenting with alcohol (within reason) but would never assume over parents were the same.

I just think if parents are going to provide alcohol to kids that arent their own, they need to ask parents if it's ok. My child cant drink alcohol in excess because of a medical condition and luckily so far has been quite sensible about it but I've so far seen lots of teenagers in a right state from alcohol.

Your view seems rather hypocritical OP?! Alright for you to drink as a teenager but not your DC.
I agree with previous posters, a controlled drink is far better than illicit drinking

My mum allowed me to drink alcohol under supervision when i was 16. My mum wasn't allowed alcohol at home. I am now 30 and my mum can drink a glass of wine a lot quicker than me.

I don't drink myself anymore, and don't like the drinking culture in the UK generally, totally agree with your comments about not needing alcohol to have a good time, but I'd still be ok with this. I know multiple 15/16 year olds who are using fake ids already to get into bars and clubs - much safer for them to be drinking at home or a friends. I also think the fact that the parents have actually communicated this with you is a really good sign, this wouldn't generally happen from my experience.

Ultimately, if teenagers want to drink, they'll find a way regardless.