To not want my kids to drink mocktails or AF beer?

[Thesenderofthiscard]

On holiday with grp of friends - oldest kids are 13, youngest 8.
the 5 teens have been asking for ‘mocktails’ when we’re out at cafes/ restaurants- Virgin bloody Mary’s, Virgin mojitos - and now the little one want them too.

I’m REALLY uncomfortable with this- Have said no to my teen so now I’m the worst parent in the world. I’m not happy with the normalising of drinking = fun or being ‘grown up’ at this age.
ine of the dad’s told me in need to get real, and for an AF beer for his 13 old son.
I ask him if he’d let his son have a ‘fake’ vale or cigarette and all he’ll broke lose.

oh, and not to mention these drinks are €8/10 a pop as they’re meant for no- drinking adults

YABU - lighten up! Let them feel like grown ups

YANBU - They’re too young to be pretending to drink.

Mocktails Yes, AF beer No

Mocktails I would be fine with at any age. Mine have always been allowed them but limited due to cost. 13/14 for low/no alcohol beer or cider at home. They never asked when out of the house.

I have no idea what on earth posters are talking about re babycinos? Are they joking? It's just milk?

Why are you asking g if you are happy with your decisions.
People have given you alternative views to yours but you are adamant youare right.
A bit of a pointless AIBU.

‘Mocktails Yes, AF beer No’

same, same tho? No?

Sex on the beach should be a substantial drink served in a hurricane glass not in a teeny margarita one so he's been swindled. Why has it suddenly become about the cost though as that wasn't the original issue ?

Mocktails taste like fruit juice. Af beer tastes like beer.

Totally different - a 'mocktail' is fruit juice and soda (assuming they aren't putting AF vodka in it!). A beer is a beer and gets kids used to the taste of alcohol.
I wouldn't pay £10 for a tiny cocktail for my child but I would let them have one if it was reasonably priced - I see them aimed at kids in many restaurants and they do not call them virgin mojitos, sex on the beach etc. I would never let my child have an AF beer as beer is for adults.

My ds ordered mocktails for her 13 year old and 8 yr old when we were on holiday. But the waiter accidentally brought the alcoholic version instead. That's what would put me off more than anything else.

My dd loves a mocktail on holiday - doesn't even think about it when back home

I wouldn't be keen on my young DC having a mocktail called sex on the beach.
I am probably in a minority on that one, but I don't care.

It's literally just foamy steamed milk!

I always had mocktails as a kid, can’t say I have developed any alcohol issues.

Kids like to do things they see grown ups doing but they can’t normally do, it’s only a bit of fun and pretend. They are going to try alcohol one day and if they end up with dependency issues it won’t be because they tried a mock tail on holiday once.

‘Mocktails Yes, AF beer No’
same, same tho? No?

No. "AF" beer isn't completely AF. Mocktails are just fruit juice. Unless you're opposed to kids drinking anything other than water or milk.

It may just be milk but the child doesn't know that. All they know is that they have a little coffee just like mummy's. Before you know it, they will be swiping energy drinks in shops and concealing them in their pushchair to get their caffeine fix.

My 11 year old had a mocktail on holiday last year…

When it was served he had a single gulp and declared it ‘absolutely delicious’ and encourage dad to have a taste.

DH had a sip and nearly spat it out. It had about 3 shots of spirit in it.

The waitress had picked up the wrong cocktail from the bar and served him an almost identical looking alcoholic one 😳🙈🤦‍♂️

Lesson of the story- if you let children have a mocktail just have a sip of it before the kids have at it!

I think it's clear you don't think you're being unreasonable AT ALL. Not even the slightest possibility because you're defending your decision and arguing the toss with any other opinions. So why post this?!

Would everyone feel differently if the mocktail was non-alcoholic vodka and juices compared to a mocktail that's just juices?

Most alcohol free / no alcohol beers contain less than 0.05% alcohol.
Some may however contain up to 0.5%.

Fruit juices may also contain between 0.3 and 0.7 %!
The legal limit Germany being 0.38 % IIRC. British sources quoted orange juice at 0.5% when I looked it up last time, but this may have changed…

no, I wouldn’t give a child AF beer.
but the alcohol content honestly seems comparable to grape or orange juice.

You are and you aren't so I haven't voted. Mocktails yes you are being unreasonable. I remember having alcohol free cocktails 40 years ago (long before they were called mocktails!) and it was such a treat. 10 year olds drinking AF beer, you're not being unreasonable. I personally wouldn't have agreed to that either.

No, its not the same at all. Mocktails are fruit juice - AF beer tastes like beer, plus its rank maybe a good idea to try and put your kids off beer!

The price I’d be saying no to!

it is non alcoholic so I guess no harm.

If they marketed it as a fruit smoothie then all ok, I can see where you are coming from on this and as you are the parent it’s your choice. Probably for the teenager I would (finally) relent, but only once as far too pricey for me.

When I was their age I was drinking larger shandy - and even a bitter shandy when one certain relative was buying. As an adult in my 40s I’m tea total. Can’t stand most things but shandies worked for me as they were sweeter. When I briefly did drink at uni it was a taboo and lemonade. Can’t stand wine and spirits now. Can’t even stand fizzy pop. I love a mock tail when I can get one I like. Our last AI holiday had virgin pina colada slushiest from a machine. I loved them. Kids had one but weren’t keen. To be honest I find a J20 worse than a mock tail as after I’ve had a few I wake ip with a really bad headache from sugar withdrawal.

so I think YABU. Holiday is the perfect time to let them try mock tails as you’re in a great situation so not normalising it as an every day thing.

I do understand where you are coming from. However I feel it’s beneficial to normalise sensible drinking rather than treat it as something forbidden. Look at the amount of teens who hit 18 & start drinking like idiots.

My parents let me have a small drink with them present from my teens e.g. small glass of wine with Sunday lunch or a beer at an event. My dad watched me like a hawk & told me to slow & appreciate the drink. So as soon as I was legal to drink I didn’t go nuts as it was never treated as a big deal. I drink to enjoy the taste etc & can’t stand being drunk.

Personally I would allow the mock-tails as they are literally just fruit juices but would steer away from the non alcho beer if you are concerned (most non alcho beers have a coke taste anyway) let the kids feel a bit more grown up for a moment. There is no harm in it

vile taste not coke taste 😂

Of all the things you can be disgruntled about on holiday, you are kicking up a fuss over coloured JUICE drinks with pretty umbrellas and sparklers. Jesus wept. Unclench and enjoy your holiday.