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.

It depends on your reasoning - if it's the price then fair enough. If it's the sugar content then fair enough (would you be happy with them drinking a similar coke/fruit juice?). If it is the name you are objecting to then YABU.

I think making children fancy fruit drinks for a treat is one thing, but usually mocktails are not aimed at children, they are for adults who do not want to drink alcohol. I think there’s a fine line, I certainly wouldn’t allow alcohol free beer or spirit substitutes and I’m not keen on the idea of straight copies of alcoholic cocktails. Mixed fruit drinks obviously aimed at children, ok but mindful of sugar content.

I'd probably say no as they are so expensive but if they were a bit cheaper and it was during the day (sugary drinks keep my kid awake if she has them before bed) I'd let them have one.

My mam used to make us a jug of sangria as kids and we loved it. It was actually blackcurrant juice with sliced oranges, lemons and ice and me and none of my sisters really drink alcohol now.

Sex on the beach?

I really would not want my 11 year old ordering that.

Lol. I'm completely teetotal and I still think YABU and uptight. I love a mocktail and wouldn't mind my kids having one when they're older (too much sugar for a two year old), though I agree they're overpriced.

Mocktails maybe if they are just juice....alcohol free copies such as beer however I wouldn't allow. The restaurant I work for is very, very clear that they are still subject to the think 21 scheme and if we got caught serving them to anyone under 18 we'd be facing a £10k fine and possible prison sentence.

Then again I'm one of those miserable parents who doesn't allow fizzy drinks either and I was called mean for limiting my 8 year old to 1 glass of Lemonade at a party recently. (I really don't judge anyone else I just have a fizzy drink addiction 🙈 and don't want my children to get a taste for it).

Are you actually serious? Please please tell me you're kidding?!! 😱

Ahh you're a hero that drew a line in the sand which enabled the other parents to follow suit.

I remember the days on holiday when the barman would add parrots, umbrellas etc to my kids drinks for free. They collected and brought them home as souvenirs.

I got my 14 year old a virgin mojito on holiday this year and did not have an issue with it. I honestly don’t think it’s a slippery slope. There are many factors that lead to alcoholism. I’m leaning towards letting them try the odd glass of fizz at Christmas etc., but not freely providing it (and no spirits) until they are a fair bit older. I’ve seen friends let their teens get roaring drunk - it’s horrible.

I do understand OP. I don't think you should be mocked because of parenting choices you choose to make. There's a difference between a fancy fruit juice and something marketed as an alcohol free daiquiri for example. AF beers would be a no from me. Maybe for a 17 year old. But not a child.

You've just won the Internet 🤣🤣🤣🤣

I agree with you OP!

Mocktails are a bit of fun for children on holiday. YABU.

I don’t think a mocktail is too bad, it’s basically a fancy name for mixed fruit juice but I don’t agree with alcohol free beer for teens.

I had fake cigarettes as a kid but I've never actually smoked a real cigarette. I also had chocolate mice and I've never eaten a mouse.

I'm in complete agreement with you OP, I feel it normalises drinking.

I'm fine for a 'kiddy cocktail' something that has been designed for and marketed to kids but anything which is mimicking or a 'fake' version of alcohol is a no no for me and my kids.

Virgin mojito - NO
Spiderman surprise- YES
Brewdog AF Beer- NO
Appletiser- YES

We had a similar falling out with a family member recently when they offered our 8 yo a Budweiser Free.. they looked at me and DH like we were bananas, but we were thankfully on the same page as each other.

Sounds like the real issue is that you don’t want them wasting money on drinks that are basically soft drinks made for adults. Just say that then! Forget trying to have a moral debate while on holiday about pretend alcohol

I'm completely serious. People think that babyccinos are just harmless fun but they normalise the use of stimulants. I feel the same about sherbert dips and flying saucers which are clearly glamourising white powder

They’re a FUN soft drink with fruit and umbrellas etc. I repeat FUN.

Are the adults drinking cocktails? If so, I am not surprised the children also want a fancy drink. I dont see the connection between alcohol drinks and non-alcoholic pretty drinks that have similar names. The normalisation of drinking culture goes well beyond that I guess.

This is obviously a joke

I started having alcohol free mocktails as a tea-total 18 year old. I have drunk them for 24 years. I still do as a TEA TOTAL 42 year old! Honestly I hope you aren't taking your kids anywhere where people are drinking, because your kids are way more likely to get a desire to try alcohol from being around people talking about alcohol being good or liking the way people are behaving as they get drunk than from drinking non-alcoholic drinks.

My DS(9) had a mocktail for his birthday. It was orange juice, lemonade and an umbrella ...

The sweet cigarettes reference made me laugh i remember loving them as a kid but ive never smoked in my life even when everyone i knew was. Always loathed it so it didht turn me into a smoker, the opposite in fact,

Sherbet dips, get kids into cocaine. What about that evil licorice stick,😂😂😂