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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that the rules are RIDICULOUS and infantilising?

398 replies

OhBling · 09/07/2023 18:37

Was just in a Co Op buying a few bits. DS negotiated with me that I'd buy him a Monster, and he'd drink half (they are such huge tins it drives me mad)....

... the man in co op would not sell it to me because I was going to give it to a child.

FFS. I'm an adult. He is my child. I can decide what he can and can't have. And caffeine is NOT illegal for children.

I'm also fully aware that lots of people will say I AM BU because no child should ever drink anything except fresh water, preferably from your local stream.... But I'm extremely annoyed. These rules are ridiculous.

OP posts:
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7
CeeJay81 · 10/07/2023 22:46

I totally agree with the 16 and over rule for these drinks. Half a can may be ok but kids could buy loads if this wasnt a rule. I work in a Coop myself and would have refused the sale too. Thankfully my 14 year old son realises the dangers of them and has never even tried one.

Bumdealoftheweek · 10/07/2023 22:54

MarieG10 · 10/07/2023 05:27

@OhBling Sorry...nanny state in action...you won't get sympathy here as MN is full of the ultimate nanny's!

I wish the govt would spend time fixing everything else that is collapsing instead of supporting stupid stuff like this

Many things are collapsing because of stupid stuff like this. NHS on its knees? Maybe if people took some responsibility for their health it might not be so bad. Poor behaviour in schools - how about we stop feeding children utter shite?

Tessabelle74 · 10/07/2023 23:01

The store assistant could be in trouble if he'd sold it to you. Next time keep your gob shut if you're going to give your child stuff they shouldn't have. YABU

RugbyMom123 · 10/07/2023 23:10

Drywhitefruitycidergin · 09/07/2023 18:55

You are exactly the reason these rules need to exist because parents don't make sensible choices for their kids.....(unless ds is 17.5, 6ft5 & 15 stone or something)
Otoh - Sainsburys refused to sell me 6+ calpol because I was going to give it to someone under 16 - now that was ridiculous!!

What! Hahahah insane! What did you say 😱

PetuniaT · 10/07/2023 23:11

Give the shopkeeper a medal for fulfilling his responsibility. What if your son had wanted just one cigarette out of a pack of 20 or a single can of lager out of a 4 pack? You are definitely being unreasonable!

pinkpantherpink · 10/07/2023 23:16

This applies to all supermarkets not just the coop.

To think that the rules are RIDICULOUS and infantilising?
jannier · 10/07/2023 23:30

Did you whip him down to the Vap shop for some free samples at the same time?

jannier · 10/07/2023 23:32

Justcallmebebes · 09/07/2023 22:02

But why would you buy it elsewhere for your child knowing how unhealthy it is? I don't get it.

Why not just be an adult and say no?

Show quote history

Because little Jimmy must not be upset maybe

ellyeth · 10/07/2023 23:55

In my opinion, the bigger question is, why is it OK for companies to manufacture food and drink that is known to cause all sorts of health problems? I have never heard of Monster but apparently there are several drinks like this and these sorts of products contribute towards all sorts of health issues.

I do think, though, that if parents are aware of reports of the potential health risks of consuming certain products, they should not be buying them for their children. Unfortunately, I don't think everybody is aware and assume that if something can be manufactured and sold it must be fairly OK.

OssiPup · 10/07/2023 23:57

OP I do wonder if you would have received the same response had you asked if you were being unreasonable to give your teenager a cafe latte, which can contain up to 160mg of caffeine….Also, from what I can find regarding the legality of it, no laws have been passed. I think an awful lot of posters on here are in for a shock when they realise their little darlings are doing all sorts of things behind their backs, including energy drinks, alcohol, vaping and worse. It is all part of teenagers finding their feet and working things out for themselves. The best we can do is accept they might not always make the best choices, be open to supporting them when they want to try things, whether that is alcohol, energy drinks etc (providing it is legal) and hopefully they will realise none of this stuff is all it’s cracked up to be. You sound like you have it sorted and were prepared to reach a compromise with your son. No doubt he’ll see you as a reasonable mum and realise he’s a lucky lad.

Hawkins0001 · 10/07/2023 23:57

ellyeth · 10/07/2023 23:55

In my opinion, the bigger question is, why is it OK for companies to manufacture food and drink that is known to cause all sorts of health problems? I have never heard of Monster but apparently there are several drinks like this and these sorts of products contribute towards all sorts of health issues.

I do think, though, that if parents are aware of reports of the potential health risks of consuming certain products, they should not be buying them for their children. Unfortunately, I don't think everybody is aware and assume that if something can be manufactured and sold it must be fairly OK.

Because it will be in moderation they are x ok but over use and it's added health effects.
Besides one of the biggest is everyone's booze seems they are willing for all the health effects the drinks have

heyitsthistle · 10/07/2023 23:59

YANBU, it's utterly ridiculous.

Drywhitefruitycidergin · 10/07/2023 23:59

I was cartoon style gob smacked and spluttering 🤣😂
I managed obviously it's for a child it's children's medicine, this is ridiculous & then figured I was wasting my time she was just doing her job & me getting pissed off was just gonna get me in trouble on her bodycam. Still nuts!

heyitsthistle · 11/07/2023 00:01

Would everyone throw their hands up at buying a 13yo a latte at Costa (150mg+?).

Not sure of the legalities of cigarettes to those going on about it, but it's only illegal to give alcohol to children aged 5 and under.

ErinBell01 · 11/07/2023 00:48

I've just been reading about this stuff! No way you buy it for a child! I wouldn't actually use my money to buy it for anyone, it's not a beneficial product in any way, can cause heart palpitations and anxiety and has lots of calories so can contribute to obesity. I do wonder why you think it's a good product for a child. The shop assistant was doing his job, thank goodness.

Codlingmoths · 11/07/2023 00:50

heyitsthistle · 11/07/2023 00:01

Would everyone throw their hands up at buying a 13yo a latte at Costa (150mg+?).

Not sure of the legalities of cigarettes to those going on about it, but it's only illegal to give alcohol to children aged 5 and under.

It’s not a latte though. That’s like saying you gave your child a sip of your wine once, so why not chuck them a bottle of Jack daniels. You give them a childs panadol dose, so just let them take 3x that amount. Why not after all?

NolongerMom · 11/07/2023 01:21

Depending on the age of your child, if theyre 15/16 then fair enough. If they're 12 or under then ur an ahole.

Brightandshining · 11/07/2023 01:42

It's a drug. Caffeine SHOULD be illegal for children imo. These energy drinks really effect the growth of kids. I'm glad the cashier took it seriously. The amount of kids I see about buying multiple cans of this shite and downing it... it's really dangerous. You want your kid to have some? Fine you'll have to buy it yourself and take it home for him... you can't demand other kids are pit at risk by shops just handing out this stuff to them

Brightandshining · 11/07/2023 01:44

And yes I would get pissed off by a 13 year old buying a latte.
I'm biased tho as I had heart problems caused by caffeine.. people fo not realise the impact it can have and you do not know if your child is sensitive to it or not... it didn't take much to give me a heart issue... so now it makes me very worried that kids can just access it and no one even warns them the damage it can do

TedEsMum · 11/07/2023 02:44

What you purchase for your consumption should be your own business, theoretically. If a shopkeeper observed YOU, instead of your SON,selecting the can of Monster, he could not legally refuse to sell it to you because you are old enough to consume it. He acted out of concern for your son's health, because he is obviously aware of the health risks of caffeine in children.

SingingNettles · 11/07/2023 03:40

Codlingmoths · 11/07/2023 00:50

It’s not a latte though. That’s like saying you gave your child a sip of your wine once, so why not chuck them a bottle of Jack daniels. You give them a childs panadol dose, so just let them take 3x that amount. Why not after all?

Show quote history

But there’s more caffeine in a costa latte (even the smallest size) than in half a can of Monster, so the analogy doesn’t really make sense.

I think the problem with energy drinks isn’t necessarily the caffeine content, which (while obviously high) is lower than most coffees from Starbucks, Costa, McDonalds or wherever else. It’s more that a younger child would be far more likely to chug multiple cans of energy drinks than multiple coffees.

GoodChat · 11/07/2023 06:37

heyitsthistle · 11/07/2023 00:01

Would everyone throw their hands up at buying a 13yo a latte at Costa (150mg+?).

Not sure of the legalities of cigarettes to those going on about it, but it's only illegal to give alcohol to children aged 5 and under.

It's illegal to buy alcohol on behalf of a minor. Sharing your alcohol with them isn't illegal, at home, but it's illegal to actually buy it for them.

Mummabear89 · 11/07/2023 06:44

Most stores have the same rule of no energy drinks to be sold to anyone under 16 due to the high caffeine content. I don't think it was always a rule though as I used to work in retail many years ago and I remember having to retrain about energy drinks. We were told that if we suspected someone was buying for an underage person we had the right to refuse the sale too. Our jobs were on the line if we sold them inappropriately.

Saying that just like you have mentioned I am also more concerned about all the artificial sweeteners and chemicals added to them than the caffeine.

Dibbydoos · 11/07/2023 07:51

In OPs case, I wouldn't give my child a high caffeine drink, but in my case my son asked if I needed scissors and I said yes. They clearly weren't being bought hy him for him. This was all done in front of the cashier. I was 55yo no need to age check me, lol! And the chocolate was a joke. It contained flavours not gin. I think this issue is being dealt with in a OTT manner, like all shoppers are undercover trading standards officers or something...

T1Dmama · 11/07/2023 09:03

I think you need to do a little research on Prime drinks personally.
Someone the other day was saying one can of the sugar free one contains the same amount of caffeine as 10 cans of coke! There is a reason you can’t buy it for kids but you can coke for them!
caffeine is so harmful to children, it’s been known to speed their little hearts up so much, some kids have even died. My friend buys the crap for her kids, anything to keep them quiet!…. The 12 year old now vapes and is addicted!! One bad habit often leads to another…

Dont give kids this crap, I love drinking caffeine drinks (coffee/Pepsi max) but bloody hell the headaches I get when I don’t have 1…. Why inflict that on your child!