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Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

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Original poster

So I went to a friend's house for lunch yesterday....

82 replies

Earlybird · 14/02/2005 21:09

.....and she opened a bottle of champagne. She poured a glass for everyone, including a mini glass for her 4 year old dd. She asked me if my dd (same age), would like one, and I politely refused. Must admit I was a bit taken aback. What do you lot think?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Dior · 14/02/2005 21:28

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snafu · 14/02/2005 21:30

I didn't know that, Dior

lockets · 14/02/2005 21:30

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Hulababy · 14/02/2005 21:31

Actually it is only illegal for an under 18 to buy alcohol, not to drink it.
In the UK age FIVE is actual the legal age from which you can drink alcohol in your own home.

ImuststopdrinkingBlossomhill · 14/02/2005 21:32

When I look at dd (5 and a half) she is still so tiny. I just don't like the idea of her having alcohol (however small). I laso do not let my children go anywhere that is smoky as I don't see why they should breathe in other people's smoke. I also don't let anyone smoke in my house either. Am I neurotic or what???

ImuststopdrinkingBlossomhill · 14/02/2005 21:32

I would say that they are both as damaging, depending on the consumption.

Dior · 14/02/2005 21:33

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Hulababy · 14/02/2005 21:33

lockets - I know it can be, and I did say that it was just my own experience of alcohol. DH's cousin is an alcohol, albeit not a drinking one right now and she hasn't been for a long time, so I have seen at close hand (not as close as you I know) of what it can do. I personally don't think a tiny taste of alcohol will turn anyone into an alcoholic. DH's cousin agrees and her 14yo son is not bared from trying alcohol and never has been.

Hulababy · 14/02/2005 21:34

Blossomhill - do you're not. I dtry very hard to avoid taking DD anywhere smoking (more difficult in Europe though on holiday) and no one has ever been allowed to smoke in my home, pre and post DD.

ImuststopdrinkingBlossomhill · 14/02/2005 21:35

Can I just say that in my very honest opinion giving alcohol to a child of any age is very irresponsible. I just couldn't do it and the thought of doing it makes me cringe.

lockets · 14/02/2005 21:35

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soapbox · 14/02/2005 21:35

The French give wine from a very early age - diluted with water at first (but from 2 or so) and they have no where near the problems with binge drinking and alcohol abuse that we have in this country.

I do let my DD and DS have small amounts of wine and champagne - but usually dilute it for them. DD hates it but DS loves it!

Hulababy · 14/02/2005 21:36

soapbox - that was what we were told by the man in the champagne caves.

soapbox · 14/02/2005 21:37

Just to clairify when I say small amounts I mean thimblefuls!

Dior · 14/02/2005 21:39

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snafu · 14/02/2005 21:44

Dior, I would disagree that alcohol is addictive in the same way as nicotine. I don't deny that alcohol addiction can be extremely dangerous but I think it (genuine addiction, I mean) is also far rarer than genuine nicotine addiction.

ImuststopdrinkingBlossomhill · 14/02/2005 21:45

I think you'd be surprised snafu as lots of people drink in secret!

Original poster

Earlybird · 14/02/2005 21:45

Have to add that once friend's dd had taken a sip, she seemed to lose interest in the drink. Don't think she drank all that was given to her. My friend's attitude is that small quantities gets children used to the taste, and they don't perceive it as "forbidden" when they're older - so bingeing isn't as likely. I can sort of see her logic, but 4 seems very young to me.

OP posts:

snafu · 14/02/2005 21:47

Well, yes, you're right - I would be surprised if the number of people addicted to alcohol is on a real par with the number of people addicted to nicotine

Dior · 14/02/2005 21:47

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Hulababy · 14/02/2005 21:49

snafu - there are stats that would support your views. Just had a luck but most are US ones right now. Have some at school, but not there for another week.

From National Stas site (UK):

It is estimated that there were 5,543 alcohol-related deaths in total in England and Wales in 2000.

COMPARED WITH

It is estimated that each year over 120,000 people in the UK die from smoking-related causes, constituting around a fifth of all deaths.

lockets · 14/02/2005 21:50

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ImuststopdrinkingBlossomhill · 14/02/2005 21:50

I just think 4 is very young. I wouldn't dream of giving my ds (7) alcohol as I won't even let them have fizzy drinks because they are so bad for there teeth and in general.

lockets · 14/02/2005 21:51

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sparklymieow · 14/02/2005 21:52

Ds only has one sip of beer when we are away, we don't drink in the house, unless we have a party (when the kids are at my parents house) and I only drink very occisional (sp??) I would never allow him to have a bottle or glass of beer.

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