To think encouraging kids to "drink" at christmas is a bit stupid?

[jesusofutopia]

My friend told me yesterday she is intending to allow her 8 and 10 year old a bottle of lager each on christmas day she said she intends to make the bottles last all day by watering them down with lemonade to make weak shandys but even so, aibu to think this is bloody stupid?

[BoffinMum]

It is, unless a dr prescribes it.

Some medicines are full of it though (is grips water still made that way?)

[Tortington]

sounds good to me

[BoffinMum]

I meant gripe water!

[lovelysongbirdfliesaway]

i can't see whats wrong with it, we used to have a shandy with our sunday lunch and pretend to be drunk.
used to be a good laugh

[vjg13]

I think a very weak shandy is ok, I don't see why they have to have a bottle each though. Do you remember those shandy soft drinks you could buy, we all drank them and pretented to be drunk too

[lovelysongbirdfliesaway]

yeah shandy bass

ah pretending to be drunk when a kid, what fun
and those pretend fags?

like chocolate canes wrapped in edible paper.
camels or something i think they where called lol

[juneybean]

ooo I preferred ben shaws myself ;)

ive been brought up to think alcohol is fine in moderation and because of that relaxed approach I rarely drink to be honest.

[TheLadyEvenstar]

What on earth is the fuss all about???

I was always allowed to "taste" alcohol, my dad was a party person and would have a party at the drop of a hat!! I remember when I was about 6 my cousin (then 10 or 11) and I sneaked under the table with a bottle of port and drank it...needless to say the next day we were not too well. BUT I am now a mum to 2 ds's 1 who is 10 and the other who is 14months. 10yr old likes the odd glass of wine with a meal/christmas/new year etc whereas the 14m old tries to nick my wine everytime i have some lol. And yes I allow him a sip as I don't believe in making things taboo. Alcohol is not going to kill in moderation i reckon there is more of a risk by letting your children play out in the streets alone.

[MollyCherry]

So glad I'm not the only one with a four year old who's partial to a drop of vino!

I had her sat on my lap at my dad's 70th this year and was holding the glass for her to drink from whilst talking to my aunt, when I looked down and realised she'd picked up my white wine instead of her lemonade

I keep a very close eye on her around the booze now!

[KatieDD]

It may well be illegal to give alcohol to the under 5's but I didn't give it to her, the bugger stole it.

[AuraofDora]

ds (4) loves wine and beer he has had stolen sips
i agree its better to allow it in small amounts, safe environment, demystify it iykwim...
as apposed to finding them carried home by friends home at 13 having devoured the best part of a bottle of sherry de callapso on way t'disco

[lovelysongbirdfliesaway]

so what do you all think about letting your kids try smoking? and what age?

i some people get there kids to smoke[cigars] to try to put them off

[glaskhamhasoneintheoven]

I think this year DS will be allowed a sip of his daddy's shandy with xmas dinner... He will be 4 then... and currently thinks beer is horrible, having never tasted it. Myself and DH always said we'd rather they were allowed a sip under supervision than them sneaking alcohol on the park at 13/14 like we both did as young teens!!

I wont be drinking as i'm pregnant so we'll also ahve some non-alcoholic bucks fizz that they will be allowed a glass of!! They'll love it!!

[janeite]

I think a whole bottle each is a bit silly. But I agree with the "tiny bit from a young age" school of thought. Our dds have a spot of white wine mixed with lemonade for Christmas lunch and on other occasions, weddings and such-like.

[justunaccomplishedmummy]

My 2 year old always asks if she can have some of mummy and daddys beer. We let her have the occasional sip. My 5 year old hated the taste.

When we got married years ago DSD was 6. We let her have some champagne and she did get a little tipsy.

I see nothing wrong with children having a little at special occasions. My sister and I were always allowed wine with lemonade at xmas dinner and we would have snowballs or babycham (remember them ). I'm not a big drinker never have been, never been on a drinking binge in my life. My sister on the other hand gets smashed every weekend. So I don't really think it makes any difference if you let them or not TBH. Depends on the person.

[justunaccomplishedmummy]

that was snowballs and babycham at family parties.

[DoubleBluff]

I can remeber having a snoball one new years eve aged about 10.
DS's hae had the odd sip of wine / beer.
At xmas lunch they might have a sip.
I wouldnt give them a whole bottle of beer tho. Would be too much.

[MostlyReindeer]

I have always had a sip or an inch or so of beer or wine from very young. I doubt they would drink a whole bottle TBH, it tastes foul as a kid! I wouldn't sweeten it up with lemonade though - give less but neat, as I said the taste is gross as a kid so they may dtinknone

[MostlyReindeer]

What's a snowball?

[glaskhamhasoneintheoven]

a snowball is a yellowy drink... with avacado and somethign else... it tastes really nice!! I still love them at xmas... is found on the supermarket shelves around end nov-begining jan time... very cheap too!! I'm gonna miss mine this year!!

[DoubleBluff]

Is it Advocaat and lemonade?
Very sweet but very exotic when i was 10!

[glaskhamhasoneintheoven]

ooh maybe... whats the alcohol in it? is it avacado liquor? can't think!! haven't seen one since last new years eve!!

[cory]

lovelysongbirdfliesaway on Sun 16-Nov-08 17:51:35
"so what do you all think about letting your kids try smoking? and what age?"

smoking is not part of their home environment so that isn't going to happen

[MostlyReindeer]

Why is it called a snowball if it's yellow? Shall have to make one!

[AuraofDora]

MR you should know, yellow snow is where the huskies 'go'!

smoking and drinking are different lovelysongbirdfliesaway dontcha know?

a wine glass dont come with a ashtray welded to it, they are activities that dont need to be connected