WKD!

[user1499506460]

I seem to be the only parent in my neighbourhood who doesn't agree that drinking WKD at 14 is a rite of passage. My daughter went to a xmas party last night in a very 'posh' house and was told she could bring WKD. I asked some other parents what they thought about this (as the host parent had not consulted with anyone) and everyone was saying 'well it's better than doing it behind out back'. So I caved in and bought her two small size bottles. Feeling a bit bullied today!

Not saying I agree with it but I would rather my child drink under supervision and learn to drink responsibly BEFORE they start going out to parties at 17/18 and not knowing how to do so responsibly so I would not straight up say No

An alcopop at Christmas is hardly a big deal.
And I would rather my kids tried a bit of alcohol in my presence before they were old enough to do it away from me.

The scary thing is they aren't just drinking an alcopop or cider, then are drinking so much vodka they pass out or throw up. And this is 13/14 year olds.

This attitude annoys me too. I realise that 14 y/o will find ways to drink alcohol if they really want to but I hate parties where parents allow it because I think it sends out the message that you can't enjoy a party without alcohol. Left to their own devices without alcohol 14 y/o girls will find plenty to have fun over.

If people want to give their own DCs alcohol at home that's fine but don't rope in other people's kids. If they had to have alcohol, let them provide it then at least your DD has a choice whether to drink it. Believe it or not it is possible for teens to go to a party, not drink and not be socially ostracised. Once the drinking crew have a drink they don't notice who is drinking or not.

thanks guys, I kinda knew I would get a mixed response. I think the reason I feel so strongly is because we host foreign students, sometimes for a year at a time; English girls get laughed at for drinking, wearing too much make up and revealing clothes and going into college with hangovers. The high flyers we get from abroad know how to party but alcohol seems to be a no - no, they can't see what all the fuss is about! Anyway I mentioned if the DC wanted anything to drink over the xmas period today when we were shopping and she said 'No' straight away, which leads me to believe that it was merely peer pressure that put her up to it so phew! And thanks for your support...

I agree with dc drinking supervised at their own home before they are out drinking themselves. But 14 is too early, and inviting other parents 14 years old to bring and drink at your home is trying too hard to be the cool parent and unfair and disrespectful to other parents.

WeAllHaveWings ..exactly how i feel, thanks for your support. As it was I had hidden two in the car and when offered to dc on xmas day at home she declined, leading me once again to believe it is all down to peer pressure and like you say, people trying to be cool parents.x

'Normalising' vodka and the like at parties for 14 yr old fills me with horror to be honest. They should be enjoying games, food , company and music etc at this age. They are children!

My daughter is very sensible but is also lively and likes parties.I know she felt under pressure to take the WKD because the parents had said everyone could take a bottle.. and there is me who has always said ' for your 16th birthday I will make a punch with some sangria in it'!!! Vodka is a spirit and I don't think advertising it as a soft drink/alcopop is setting young people up well for the future...

I also hate this attitude that buying your kids alcohol will give them a healthy introduction to drinking! NOOOOOOO!
I agree with Bandicoote, WeAllHaveWings,forcryinoutloud etc
They are under 18 and there is a legal age for a reason. By buying your kids alcohol you are normalising it, it is also against the law to buy alcohol for kids. They pressure you by saying all my friends parents allow it, parents buckle and then before you know it they are taking half bottles of vodka to parties. It escalates very quickly (I have 2 teenage dd's)
There was a recent research paper done into underage drinking and because a teenager's brain is growing/re-wiring it can do damage. Buy alcohol once for a party and it's harder to say no next time, 2 bottles becomes 4 and it escalates from there.

I am lucky as my daughter has such good role models in the students that live with us. We live in a nice area with good schools but a lot of the parents seem so caught up in keeping up with the jones's that their children rule the roost and do exactly as they please. My daughter sees us have a few glasses of wine at weekends with dinner and a few drinks at the odd party so we aren't too square as parents. I feel sad for a lot of these children tbh, especially as I work with children too...