Who rules the roost? (would you give your toddler booze?)

[dejags]

You have probably had this programme on tele ages ago but out in sticks (arse end of Africa) it's only recently started.

Heres my point:

On tonights' show the mother gives the 3 year old son a beer and then later on in the show gives him wine (watered down but "thank goodness" he didn't notice).

I was shocked by this. Comments?

I saw that program ages ago and was aghast!
And we are pretty liberal with alcohol here, my ds is 11 and he is allowed a little Baileys and milk on xmas eve. He sometimes pretends to like wine at grandparents but never drinks more than one sip.
DD is another matter, as if having cravings for lager when I was pregnant with her was not bad enough, she will tip up beer cans to get whats left, she is a right little beer hound. So we have to be extremely vigilant, I posted a photo once on here, when Dad placed his can of Stella on the TV to take a phone call, dd (25 mths) got a step and climbed up to get it!
So round about no I would not offer/allow it to an under 6 under pretty much any circs, but am happy for a once in a while taste for older kids, this was how my parents dealt with us and I think it leads to a better respect for alcohol in a lot of ways.

It is illegal to give a child under 5 alcohol.
My eldest DD started to have a sip of wine at 10 years old. She is now 18 and still only has the occansional glass of wine( her choice). DD2 and DD3 don't like the taste of wine at all.

Didn't know it was illegal to give alcohol to an under 5 years old! (Not that I would, mind.)

I think giving watered down wine when they're a bit older is a good idea, it introduces the idea that alcohol is something to be enjoyed in moderation with a meal.

I saw that programme too and I was a bit surprised to say the least. But they were both pretty hopeless at saying no to the kids I thought (although it was probably just the editing - a friend of mine was on that programme once and they both came out like a couple of work-crazed automatons.)

DD (3y) has had the odd sip of alcohol at home. Not much, but just dipping her finger in and sucking it, or a sip from the glass. Same as she might do with my fizzy pop. which she doesn't have either.

When she gets older, she will be allowed a small, weakened glass of wine with her Sunday dinner at home. Not sure what age yet - but it'll be a fair few from now that's for sure.

But I wouldn't not have alcohol in the house. I believe children should be taught that alcohol is okay to drink, by the right people, at the right times, and not to excesses. Not having alcohol in the house entirely IMO doesn't help me show her that.

We do keep our alcohol out of DD's reach.

fredly, I didn't say I agreed with my dh - that was his opinion not mine.

And at the moment he's in the doghouse, so his opinion matters not a jot to me