Would you allow your 10 year olds to have a Caramel Latte from McDonald’s?

[Workinghardeveryday]

He desperately wants one, been asking for months.

He always has a milkshake which is very unhealthy anyway, I am thinking about the caffeine.

Would you allow it?

Yes. I make iced caramel lattes for my DS 11 at home.

@Jobsharenightmare

Caffeine is a drug so personally we've only allowed decaf until 16.

Everything's a drug! I assume you don't allow paracetamol or vitamin tablets till 16 either?

Yes!!! And a 🍩🍪🍰 to go with it!!!!!!

Depending on the caffeine content, yes, but only if it's morning or lunchtime. After school, I'd be concerned about it interfering with sleep.

The amount of caffeine in it is about 2.5 times that of coke though. They might get a bit bouncy on it!
I’d definitely not give them it at tea time. And I’d probably do decaf, why not?

@Jobsharenightmare

Caffeine is a drug so personally we've only allowed decaf until 16.

Are you joking 🤣

Caffeine hinders the absorption of calcium in the body. So as a treat yes but on a daily basis no.

I wouldn't get in the habit of letting him drink coffee (same as energy drinks etc, they shouldn't need caffeine at that age) but if he wants it more for the taste, because it's caramel, I don't see that there's anything wrong with the occasional one.

I wouldn't. I'm fairly sensitive to caffeine and it feels quite strong to me. I'd be happy for my DD to try some, but not to drink a full one.

Yep. As a treat I let my dc have anything they like except alcohol or illegal drugs.

The paranoia about allowing kids to have caffeine is ridiculous. I was raised on my Irish grandmother’s rocket-fuel strength tea and it never did me any harm.

Yes! Just ask for it decaff? This is the biggest non-issue I've seen on here recently.

P op

Yes I would as an occasional treat

Lol sorry, never reply while sitting next to a toddler. If you let them have coke or Pepsi, one latte every so often isn’t much different

Yes

The paranoia about allowing kids to have caffeine is ridiculous.

Why are you calling it paranoia? It's just a choice. I'm pretty sensitive to caffeine. I am ok with tea, but only drink decaf coffee. A strong proper coffee makes me feel awful and jittery. A normal cup will mess with my sleep even if I drink it mid-morning. Dd (16) is the same. It gives her a slightly dodgy stomach too (coffee is a stomach irritant).

The effects of caffeine are greater on children. It's not going to do them any damage as an occasional treat, but it's not great either and it may make them jittery, hyper or just feel a bit unwell. Unless they are used to it because they're always drinking it (or Coke etc) I guess. But a 10yo with a caffeine habit isn't great.

What about asking for steamed milk with the flavour syrup but no coffee? Or order an extra large one for you and a small cup so he can try a small amount.

Yes but I’m not keen on them having it so only occasionally.

Yep, my 6yo has the occasional coffee at home as a treat, he loves it. Only about one a week. As you say probably no wise for him than the awful milkshakes!!

Mine never drank tea or coffee (their choice) but I'd let them have pretty much anything as a treat.

Yes.

Probably not but he’s never been and therefore doesn’t know they exist. Caffeine plus sugar is a lot for little bodies to process, their livers are small.

@Libertaire

The paranoia about allowing kids to have caffeine is ridiculous. I was raised on my Irish grandmother’s rocket-fuel strength tea and it never did me any harm.

I agree. I was drinking tea and coffee with two sugars at this age !

@MrsKDB

Probably not but he’s never been and therefore doesn’t know they exist. Caffeine plus sugar is a lot for little bodies to process, their livers are small.

Your 10 year old has never been in a coffee shop?