Driven mad by teen kids and energy drinks!

[5babyangels]

Does anyone else think they should be banned to under 16s? After all they won't let them buy a tube of glue or a knife, or a fag! Totally fed up with giving them pocket money and finding they waste it on energy drinks. I refuse to buy them for them so the moment they get money they buy them there selves. Dp found dd in bed with bar of chocolate and an energy drink, last night! It was 10pm. The boys have been at it before but now dd! Oh help!

Drinks like Lucozade can be life savers for children with Type one diabetes, like my DD, so no I don't think they should be banned for under 16's.

Kids (and adults) who are lucky enough to be able to 'eat what they want' need to learn for themselves how to eat a healthy diet (and enjoy the occasional treat), it is a case of Education, not Legislation, IMHO.

Sorry for lecture- you hit a 'sore point' there!

They're awful aren't they!

Teenagers have brought them into my house when they've come for a sleepover then wonder why they can't sleep, durr.

I'm thinking more of the caffeine red bull replicas as opposed to lucozade! For sport use of course it's fine and a good idea and clearly if theres a medical reason they r a must. Just the highs and lows of caffine ridden teens is rather tricky!

Try highs and lows that are out of your control because you have diabetes!

Like I was trying to say - if you don't want your kids to have something - it's your house - ban them from the house not from the whole country/other people who have learned to be sensible because their life depends on it.

Why do people complain about their kids behaviour but expect other people/society to fix it.?

I wasn't actually! I can see both points of view! I certainly don't blame society for my children, just so many things r too accessible to them, it can make it a challenge.

I would encourage them to make sensible consumption choices by making them get up early in the morning every day (including weekends), regardless of how late they've been up bouncing off the walls on red bull the night before.

Good idea well-wisher! Actually she wasn't bouncing off the Walls at all. She was probably reading all night, knowing her! I'm just not keen on them as they can play havoc with mood swings. Different if they're running a marathon though.

I used to drink loads of caffeine, for some reason thought it was "cool" my friends and I used to pop Pro Plus caffeine pills as well.

I don't think making it illegal is the answer but it's like any kind of state-altering type thing, teenagers seem drawn to experimenting with it. I guess it's all a part of exploring the limits of your own body. I suppose be glad it's not alcohol or illegal drugs? Would you have a problem if they were drinking coke all the time, or tea? Because they all contain caffeine as well. Chocolate does to, in fact, but it's in such small quantities it's unlikely to do anything.

Remember some of the mood swings etc will be down to hormones. The biggest concern I would have is that caffeine can be quite addictive and most people don't realise how easy it is to get hooked on it. However I do think it's one people grow out of if they are aware of it.

Well it may seem cruel but I only let them have coke v occasionally and they hardly ever drink tea. Had a bad experience with coke and my ds when he was little, went totally hyperactive. He was the same with smarties. My dd drinks mostly water a lot of it, she doesn't like squash never has! Maybe that's why I'm finding it a bit strange. Also I understand they r growing up and need to make their own decisions it just seems such a waste if money!

Well, it's their money :)

Yes well most of us learn the hard way I suppose

My teens would not want to waste their money like this. Perhaps you could try to work out how much they've spent altogether on this stuff. They might be shocked.

I'm wondering whether it's because they've suddenly been given a bit more freedom than they are used to and have gone a bit mad with it. I'm hoping if they realise they've blown all the money in one go on stupid things it's a long wait until they get more money. Perhaps next time they'll spend it more wisely. and you never know they might even save it?