DS underage drinking

[Dsandthedrink]

DS is 17 in November and about to start a levels. To cut a long story short last night he told me he was going out with some friends (technically true). He wasn’t back until about half 11 but went straight to bed so I didn’t get a chance to talk to him. It turns out he was in the pub last night with a group of other underage friends I was told this by a friend who’s (adult) son also happened to be there. I am very disappointed in DS what he did was both illegal and stupid. Aibu to ask how to punish him for this?

Also at 17 I went to ibiza for a fortnight. I didn't turn 18 until 5 months after we came home!

Fair play to him getting served! I started going to the pub at 15 but pubs didn't care back then.

You are allowed to go to a pub below the age of 18 you know. All pubs will check for proof of the ages for alcohol being purchased or risk losing their licence.
How do you know he didn't go for a meal?

Was a teen in the 70s. I think I must be the only person on the planet who didn’t drink in pubs until I was legally old enough to do so. I didn’t go to the local school and my friends didn’t live close enough for evenings out.

Looking at these posts, I feel sorry for kids these days. Going to the same night club/ pub every week from 16 kind of taught us how to adult. Your days of drinking in the park were over. You learned how to behave in the grown up world. Having stricter Id rules pushed that back. I think it was always harder for boys though, as they didn't ever really look as old.

Sounds like you need a drink yourself. Chill out.

You sound a bit uptight to be honest. He’s not that far off legal drinking age, he’s safer in a pub than a dodgy park, and he was home/in bed at a reasonable time.

I can’t even imagine why punishment would be going through your mind?!

We all went to pub when our GCSE exams finished. I remember it well, one of the boys saying he'd answered all the French speaking exam questions in English.....but with a French accent :-D I was still 15 at the time and got served. Was the very early 90's though. At 17 I was clubbing every weekend that I could, there is nothing more fun and exciting than going to a good club at 17 IMO, I've never had a time like it.

I'm very surprised he got served now though to be honest. I'd just stick to the facts about it being illegal etc and tell him you expect him to be sensible about his drinking. He'll probably be mortified that you know, if you go in all guns blazing he'll just get more secretive and lie more. I know because that's what I did.

I think you are being a bit over the top. I was in pubs from 16 onwards.

Yea talk to him about limits, not going crazy, hangovers etc but punishments is a teeny bit crazy.

I can't work out if this is a reverse. My son is also (just turned) 17. He plays a lot of sport so doesn't have lots of time to socialise but I'd expect him to have alcohol with friends. He has a few beers at the cricket club and I provided some beer and cider when his friends were over recently. He also (legal) orders an alcoholic drink if we're at a restaurant.

For me, perfectly normal behaviour for a 16-17 year old. I'd also far rather he had a beer than take a drug that could have anything in it.

OP says he's 17 in November....so by my calculations that makes him 16?!
If anyone with him was 18 and they were eating a proper meal, then he's allowed to drink alcohol!
If he's 16 he can still have a coke or juice and a packet of crisps 🤣

We used to hang out at a bus shelter with bottles of cheap German wine.

I distinctly remember being thrilled on my d of e expedition that the local offie let me buy one whole can of fizzy Lambrusco (aged 16). Most exciting although the alcohol content was all of about 1.5%.

Leave him alone OP you are being dramatic. I had my 16th bday in a nightclub which I'd be going to for about a year already. They gave me a free bottle of prosecco for my bday 😆 had an 18 badge on. I also got drunk in fields and did all nighters. He only went to a pub and he didn't come home and throw up on your rug.

17? Oh my.

I was at uni at 17 and going to clubs since I was about 15 (not often as I had a woeful social life).

Erm going to the pub at 17 is perfectly normal!

At least he wasn't in a park drinking. We used to go out clubbing at 15, full time job at 16 to fund it, went on 18 to 30s at 17. Got all the drinking and clubbing done and settled down at 21 in my flat. Haven't had a drink in 16 years, think I turned out alright.

He’s 17 not 7 you need to chill out or you’ll end up pushing him away.

17?! Whats your issue?! Of course you're being unreasonable. Let him be, I was doing much much worse than that age 13..

If you're going to treat him so patronisingly, I'd prepare yourself for some serious rebellion just to wind you up.

Punish a 17 year old for drinking 🤣

Punishing a 17 year old for going to a pub.

FFS 😂

He's 17, not 7. Why on EARTH would you even contemplate punishing him?

He SIXTEEN. Can no-one here read? He's 16, he's underage, and he's drinking in pubs.
Why the fuck would you not punish him? Are you all insane?

How dramatic!! We're you never young once OP?

*Were

Another underage pub drinker here. I even had fake ID. I agree with PP about talking to DS about knowing his limits on etc
Your 17 year old sounds more responsible than 17 year old me. At 11.30 I was ready to go clubbing but usually ended up in park due to lack of funds

I wasn't even living at home at 17, like lots of people.
Going to a pub at 17 is surely not unusual, and hardly a biggie.