To think that the rules are RIDICULOUS and infantilising?

[OhBling]

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.

The supermarkets introduced a ban on the sale in 2018. Five years ago.

Mainly because the government was going to ban the sale anyway, so they hoped doing this would mean that they were left alone.

I'm a huge caffeine fan, always have been. I've drunk coffee since I was a preschooler and have no problem with kids drinking tea, coffee or fizzy drinks within reason (the reason being that the latter are really bad for the teeth due to a combination of the acidity and the sugar). But there's a ban in place, so as it's their shop, it's their rules.

Imagine that someone stops you from a shit parent you should be thankful.

Let's be honest what relationship have you got that you are negotiating monsters

Once he heard you there's no going back
I think you were foolish, they shouldn't be having it either way
Learn to say No

Just on here to find out how young DS is. I'm a fairly relaxed parent and I would not let my children have Monster.

This is correct

Its still quite muddled though. Most shops have signed up to an agreement whereby they wont sell them to under 18s/16s, but kids get their hands on them easily, so many just buy from the corner shop

In addition, Im not sure if the proposed law banning the sale to under 18s will be the same as alcohol. An under 18 cannot buy the alcohol but a parent can allow the child to consume alcohol at home if they want.

Personally I would ban energy drinks, they really mess with the brain, very badly actually.

I'm just picturing you OP.

Yeah, I was right

The putting goods on display is "an invitation to treat" if you take the goods to a till the contract can legally be rejected by the seller ie they can refuse to sell it to you no matter what the goods.

These same drinks - Monster, Red Bull, etc. - are available without restrictions in the USA. Even in vending machines, accessible for everyone.
As far as the caffeine content, many parents of ADHD children who are anti-medication use hi-caffeine drinks as natural remedies. Before energy drinks appeared, I was advised by my DD's pediatrician to give the a cup of coffee with sugar every morning before school. The caffeine would overstimulate and cause the hyperactivity to slow down. If it worked, then the doctor recommended a coffee drink for lunch to keep the caffeine level up.
Yes, I understand that drinking 12 at once could land a child in the hospital. So could drinking 12 pints of water. Or 12 beers. Maybe at some point in time, let parents make decisions for their children.

Just read that while they are no laws banning sales to under 16s in the UK. Supermarkets insist on id at stores.

Yep.

Can't believe so many people have fallen for this.

As far as I know, the Monster thing is a voluntary code, not the law, so the shop staff cannot be fined for selling it, though they might be subject to disciplinary action. Of course you get quite a few retail staff who think they have a right to tell a pregnant woman off for buying a bottle of wine too.

I am not entirely sure why everyone is getting so het up about it when they no doubt allow their own children to eat McDonalds and sweets.

I remmeber my ds being a bit fed up that the Tesco near his sixth form college wouldn't accept his college card (with photo) as ID as you could only be there if you were 16 or over.

None of this would as much of an issue if (a) we had ID cards and (b) they were digital and you could show it on a phone, or show the actual card. I've no idea why we're all so silly in this country about ID cards - all the messing around we have to do to prove age and ID is far more of a hassle than having a card we show if we need to!

Most of this site is filled with goady nonsense. What's the difference with this thread?

I really don't care what parents give their children, it's not my business or anybody else's. If they're giving them harmful stuff well, does anybody really think they'll stop doing that if enough people chide them for it?

My OH is a retail manager at Tesco, just asked him what he would do in this situation, instantly it was a no, not only is it obviously not for kids, but they get checked constantly by mystery shoppers for this type of thing

You're absolutely right, OP. I used to give mine a cigar when they were watching CBeebies. Never did them any harm.

Is the child 13 or 3?

from a personal perspective I wouldn't get one for my 13 yr old one but I know some parents would.

if they’re three then it’s not just the monster that should be taken off you quite frankly!

You’re being unreasonable either way for putting the shop assistant in that position.

Depends on the Prime though. Prime Hydration doesn't have caffeine in it (though I'm not trying to argue it's healthy).

It's Sunday what co-op is open at this time on a Sunday

Why would you allow that shit to go into your child's body.

I kind of agree with OP. As a parent you can choose to give alcohol to your child at home from about the age of 5. So should a supermarket refuse to sell me Prosecco whilst my 6yo with me, lest she have a mouthful (which she wouldn't because she's the wine police at the moment and hates anything fizzy)

I've no idea why we're all so silly in this country about ID cards

I'd hazard a guess it's all the awful fuck ups any government agency makes in this coountry - you'd have to wait 3 years for your "card" due to "unforseen staff shortages" and then it would be in someone else's name and the quickest way to sort it out would be to steal their fucking identity.

Fantasy Island

All the convos near me are open til 10pm on Sundays.

Grrr co ops not convos!

Our local one