AIBU to have gone ballistic over DS buying alcohol

OnePunnyKoala · 2025-10-27T22:03:36+00:00

It's half term and DS16 met up with his friends. Today I discovered that DS16 attempted to purchase alcohol from a local corner store by using a digitally modified version of his ID. AIBU to have gone ballistic on him?

GlassofRosePorfavor · 27/10/2025 22:04

Classic!

Judgedbycats · 27/10/2025 22:05

I was going clubbing at his age.

Arlanymor · 27/10/2025 22:05

Not at all - it's the law, how are you in the wrong here? I'm sure lots of 'cool parents' will come along and say that you're too uptight... but you're not.

TheBlueHotel · 27/10/2025 22:06

Why??

SummerFeverVenice · 27/10/2025 22:06

Ballistic is a bit bonkers.

if he wants to try something, he can do it at home with you.

SummerFeverVenice · 27/10/2025 22:07

Separate issue, but I can see digital IDs being similarly doctored if Starmer gets his way.

FrecklyFrog · 27/10/2025 22:09

SummerFeverVenice · 27/10/2025 22:07

Separate issue, but I can see digital IDs being similarly doctored if Starmer gets his way.

Although it doesn't sound like it worked?

VoodooQualities · 27/10/2025 22:09

What did you actually do that qualifies as 'ballistic'?

HonoriaBulstrode · 27/10/2025 22:10

What was he trying to buy? Cans of beer or lager, no big deal. Vodka, yes I think that merits a stronger response because he and his mates could make themselves seriously ill.

zipadeedodah · 27/10/2025 22:10

I dunno, better that he makes silly mistakes now rather than when he's older.

Do you let him have a glass of wine with you at dinner time? Maybe that would take the mystery out of it and make it seem less desirable.

how did you find out.

Original poster

OnePunnyKoala · 27/10/2025 22:10

FrecklyFrog · 27/10/2025 22:09

Although it doesn't sound like it worked?

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it didn't work because the shopkeeper doesn't accept photo ID and he recognised DS because he regularly goes. digital ID will definitely make purchasing age restricted items much easier for teens as fake digital ID apps will probably be produced

OP posts:

SummerFeverVenice · 27/10/2025 22:10

FrecklyFrog · 27/10/2025 22:09

Although it doesn't sound like it worked?

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Probably because it was a 16yo amateur doing the digital doctoring instead of a professional counterfeiter….

Hfstjsufysyfykdhoxg · 27/10/2025 22:11

Is he in Year 12? If so, this is totally standard behaviour.

Unless you're a Puritan, don't sweat it.

Original poster

OnePunnyKoala · 27/10/2025 22:13

Hfstjsufysyfykdhoxg · 27/10/2025 22:11

Is he in Year 12? If so, this is totally standard behaviour.

Unless you're a Puritan, don't sweat it.

He's in year 12. To be honest I don't think it's common for teens to attempt to purchase alcohol nowadays, sometimes they sneak it out of the house or get it through other methods but I don't think this is standard or normal behaviour

OP posts:

ninjahamster · 27/10/2025 22:14

Haha I remember faking a birth certificate so I could go clubbing when I was 16. Its a rite of passage.
He’s learned his lesson by it not working! (Also rookie mistake to go local!).
There’s a shop in my town notorious for selling to underage teens. Mine all used it at some point.

Fidgety31 · 27/10/2025 22:14

You could’ve bought it for him and saved all the drama !

Dancingsquirrels · 27/10/2025 22:16

Arlanymor · 27/10/2025 22:05

Not at all - it's the law, how are you in the wrong here? I'm sure lots of 'cool parents' will come along and say that you're too uptight... but you're not.

I'm not a cool mum, don't condone underage drinking, but i still think going "ballistic" was a mistake as her DS will be less likely to confide in her

I'd suggest better to talk about risks of drinking at young age, highlight that the shop assistant would lose their job if they sold alcohol to an U18 and encourage child to have confidence to make healthy choices and withstand peer pressure

Dramatic · 27/10/2025 22:18

OnePunnyKoala · 27/10/2025 22:13

He's in year 12. To be honest I don't think it's common for teens to attempt to purchase alcohol nowadays, sometimes they sneak it out of the house or get it through other methods but I don't think this is standard or normal behaviour

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It absolutely is standard/normal behaviour although obviously not behaviour to be encouraged. Do you ever allow him to have alcohol at home/on special occasions?

gingercat02 · 27/10/2025 22:18

Ballistic is a bit much. Very few 16yo haven't at least tried alcohol.

Arlanymor · 27/10/2025 22:18

Dancingsquirrels · 27/10/2025 22:16

I'm not a cool mum, don't condone underage drinking, but i still think going "ballistic" was a mistake as her DS will be less likely to confide in her

I'd suggest better to talk about risks of drinking at young age, highlight that the shop assistant would lose their job if they sold alcohol to an U18 and encourage child to have confidence to make healthy choices and withstand peer pressure

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Well we don't know what 'ballistic' constitutes do we?

No one has said she won't do all of the other things you have said.

But is she allowed to be cross with him? Of course. The idea that it's all shits and giggles is nonsense.

CrossChecking · 27/10/2025 22:23

OnePunnyKoala · 27/10/2025 22:13

He's in year 12. To be honest I don't think it's common for teens to attempt to purchase alcohol nowadays, sometimes they sneak it out of the house or get it through other methods but I don't think this is standard or normal behaviour

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I have a 16 year old. It is very common. She isn't out getting wasted every weekend like I was but it features. Just this weekend gone I found out that dd was drinking at a house party with half of the other 16 year olds in the area rather than where she said she would be. I didn't go ballistic but we had words about the lying.

WiddlinDiddlin · 27/10/2025 22:24

Absolutely standard behaviour - if he were a bit smarter (ie, a girl) he'd have used a shop where he is not familiar to the staff!

Shows confidence though, so thats a plus.

The rollocking he gets for attempting it is also traditional - however if you go too far you make the alcohol much MORE tempting and he will cotton on how to get better at it and not get caught, rather than stop doing it.

Of my peer group, the binge drinkers were the kids of the 'never ever huge bollocking' style and the moderate 'stop when I've had sufficient/take it or leave it' types were the ones with the 'cool' parents.

RubySquid · 27/10/2025 22:25

Did he succeed? Or does he need to make a better fake id

RubySquid · 27/10/2025 22:27

OnePunnyKoala · 27/10/2025 22:10

it didn't work because the shopkeeper doesn't accept photo ID and he recognised DS because he regularly goes. digital ID will definitely make purchasing age restricted items much easier for teens as fake digital ID apps will probably be produced

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Lol silly boy You would think he'd go somewhere he wasn't known

SanityLeftTheChat · 27/10/2025 22:28

OnePunnyKoala · 27/10/2025 22:10

it didn't work because the shopkeeper doesn't accept photo ID and he recognised DS because he regularly goes. digital ID will definitely make purchasing age restricted items much easier for teens as fake digital ID apps will probably be produced

Edited

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How can the shop keeper not accept photo ID?