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?

I had coffee at this age. Nothing bad happened. All in moderation.
Caffeine is in coke, chocolate, tea etc..coffee is not worse

With mine, I’d buy a straight decaf latte for me and let him try it first. He’d probably spit coffee without syrup out and then he’ll know whether or not he actually likes coffee - or just sugar.

Not saying I’d say no (I’ve only got a toddler so not something I’ve had to think about yet) but I’m finding it weird how everyone’s talking about it as if it’s not a strong caffeinated drink.

A latte bought out has about 150mg caffeine, you wouldn’t have more than one a day while pregnant for example.

I think I’d probably at least ask for one shot of espresso rather than two, or maybe even a half shot if they can do that. Would anyone come in here and claim a double espresso isn’t much coffee? It’s the same thing just with milk and sugar.

My 3 year old enjoys a weak cuppa on a Saturday morning, at 10 I think you could allow it as a treat.

It's absolutely fine. It might give him an energy boost temporarily but that's it. I'm amazed some people let their children out of the house they're so paranoid.

@Rugsofhonour

I came on here expecting everyone to say no. I can’t believe how many people think this is ok! Caffeine is extremely unhealthy, especially for children. Why would you want to introduce caffeine into your child’s life? And then there’s the huge amount of sugar in it. 45g in a regular sized caramel latte which is about 8 teaspoons. There’s absolutely no chance I would buy one for a child.

Does your child eat chocolate?

Caffeine is not "unhealthy" for adults unless they're consuming it in a way that damages their sleep. Scientists have been studying it for decades looking for evidence of harm because there's a widespread instinct that it just feels like it should be unhealthy, but no one's ever found any evidence, and in fact there is some evidence of various health benefits.

He could have a decaf one

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

Goodness me, I actually think I've heard it all now

@BonnieGoWayward

I can't imagine giving young children coffee to be honest...its just so unnecessary.

Mine don't ask for it, much as they dont ask for a glass of wine on a Saturday night because they know its an adult drink.

Exactly this

Ha, that anyone believes a teen will obey caffeine rules until they are 16!

No

@Jobsharenightmare

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

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Do you then also ban chocolate for anybody under 16 in your house? As it contains drugs?

So he had the frappe iced latte thing at lunchtime. He has been fine. Better mood than normal I would say. Asking to help with housework etc.

Cleaning the bathroom partially but spent about 1.5 hours doing it happily. Never cleaned bathroom before but asked to learn how.

Still in a very good mood, but I would say more energy than normal, played out after lunch for 2 hours which is longer than normal, more sociable with friends and generally slightly hyper like it was a special day or something.

My opinion is, the caffeine has definitely had an effect on him, not a negative one mood wise but I can definitely see a difference.

Obviously caffeine does have a big effect on kids. I really have no idea how much would be in one of these drinks compared to tea or coffee etc.

I am not saying so far I won’t let him have it again. He enjoyed it - a lot!! He has been happy all day. Time will tell if I change my mind.

No way! At least it is a decaff one?

Also, I don’t think you can get decafe from McDonald’s?

Tbf it probably was a pretty special day for him if he’s been asking for months and months!

Maybe next time you can get him a decaf drink, if you’re concerned about the caffeine. However I’d be very surprised if you can’t get decaf there as that would surely be a really silly business decision.

Well, I would not OP, on a regular basis.
At around that age I started making some sweet tea for mine, some times, not daily.
Once, for a treat, to try it, will not be harmful. But as you do not have any control of how much caffeine goes into this drink, I would pass.
If they do like the flavour, try making decaff at home. You can get flavourings to add to it. I bet you your child will act exactly the same if they do not know is decaff, LOL. They possibly here grown ups saying we need our coffee to wake up, and they think it is a superhero dtink or something...

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

So what about chocolate is that also banned ?

However I’d be very surprised if you can’t get decaf there as that would surely be a really silly business decision

You can’t get decaf in McDonald’s

Ahaha that shows how much I know! 😆

Maybe a treat every once in a while from elsewhere @Workinghardeveryday

I was an adult the first time I had a coffee and I was bouncing off walls it's really far stronger than tea or fizzy drinks