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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

15 year old daughter wants to try alcohol

122 replies

redblonde · 02/12/2021 22:21

She has asked if she can try some alcohol at Christmas. In theory I think it’s ok for her to try it, in a safe environment (although on the inside I’m screaming “ noooo you’re still my baby”!) but not sure what to suggest! She doesn’t like what wine smells like and spirits seem a step too far. I’m thinking a weak cider maybe? Any suggestions?

OP posts:
coodawoodashooda · 02/12/2021 22:22

Ask her and go out of your way to give her something that looks like you are supporting her but tastes disgusting.

ISpyCobraKai · 02/12/2021 22:24

I'm suprised she's never tasted it before.

FortunesFave · 02/12/2021 22:24

I let my DD have a small glass of champagne when she was 14 going on 15. She wasn't immediately "into" it but she didn't mind it.

She's 17 now and sometimes shares a bottle with her best friend but that's it. She did get drunk once aged 15 at a party but her friends knew to bring her home to me and I wouldn't freak out.

She's very responsible now....I don't have any concerns. I think champagne isn't a bad choice for a first drink.

TwoAndCooPlease · 02/12/2021 22:26

I think it's ok. Go with alco-pops. Blue WKD/Smirnoff Ice type. Just 4%

But agree with pp - surprised she's not tried it before now

Strugglingtodomybest · 02/12/2021 22:27

Cider seems to be the first-alcoholic drink of choice for all the teenagers I know. It was when I was a teenager in the 80s too.

InTheLabyrinth · 02/12/2021 22:28

Alco-pops, cider, or given its Christmas you could do bucksfizz or straight champagne if the rest of you are drinking it.

toolazytothinkofausername · 02/12/2021 22:29

A small snowball :)

MsInterpret · 02/12/2021 22:32

Why not let her have some with dinner, some wine or champagne. In moderation, with others drinking socially and with a meal is surely the best way to introduce.

I'm sure you can have wine with a meal in a pub from 16, can't you?

saddowizca · 02/12/2021 22:34

Baileys? Babycham? A special Christmassy drink rather than something she might want to drink in the park (me in the 80’s).

CSJobseeker · 02/12/2021 22:34

@TwoAndCooPlease

I think it's ok. Go with alco-pops. Blue WKD/Smirnoff Ice type. Just 4%

But agree with pp - surprised she's not tried it before now

Alcopops are full of shite!

If recommend champagne/prosecco, or maybe a cider. Could even try shandy or a weak beer if she'd prefer.

Tbh, I'm surprised she hasn't tried any before. Kids are obviously a lot more sheltered than they were when I was a teen.

Starcaller · 02/12/2021 22:34

Bucks Fizz! Christmassy and you can heavily dilute it.

cherrytreecottage · 02/12/2021 22:35

@TwoAndCooPlease

I think it's ok. Go with alco-pops. Blue WKD/Smirnoff Ice type. Just 4%

But agree with pp - surprised she's not tried it before now

Yeah this. Blue WKD is what we tend to let DSD15 have. She's had some of the flavoured cider before but isn't a massive fan! I'd rather her have a few drinks in moderation with us to understand her limits than out with her friends
CSJobseeker · 02/12/2021 22:35

Bailey's is a good shout, it's very festive, although it's strongish.

toolazytothinkofausername · 02/12/2021 22:36

@coodawoodashooda

Ask her and go out of your way to give her something that looks like you are supporting her but tastes disgusting.
That is a form of lying.

Instead better to properly educate your daughter regarding how alcohol can be fun but it can also be very dangerous when overly consumed or if mixed wrong. Also, if you buy alcohol from a non-licensed shop it can have nasty ingredients.

gamerchick · 02/12/2021 22:38

Mine gets 1 beer Christmas day. Then 0.0 beers if he wants them. I remember being given a little glass of sherry at Christmas as a kid. We made it last for hours Grin

Ask her what she would like to try. Far better to try it in safety rather at a party where she might drink too much the first time. Get to know your limits type of thing

Starcaller · 02/12/2021 22:39

My wee granny used to get a single Bacardi Breezer in for me at Christmas Grin

BBOA · 02/12/2021 22:41

Hard Selzers are lowish alcohol and nice flavours. That’s what my 16 old has had a few times. Difficult one though as it seems they have a really unhealthy attitude to alcohol. They are literally drinking vodka neat to just get smashed. Not sure where that get it. I was drinking at the same age so cant be too Pollyanna about it, but at least it was flavoured and cheaper stuff.

Rummikub · 02/12/2021 22:41

I wanted my eldest dd to know how alcohol affected her in a safe place rather than when out. Especially with spiking being around.

DockOTheBay · 02/12/2021 22:41

@Starcaller

Bucks Fizz! Christmassy and you can heavily dilute it.
Agree with this. I remember having bucks fizz at Christmas when I was about 12, it was probably 1% champagne but I felt very grown up
dementedpixie · 02/12/2021 22:42

Fruit cider over ice is what my dd likes

HalloHello · 02/12/2021 22:43

I am baffled that a 15 year old has never tried any alcohol ever? My 12 year old niece has had a bucks fizz and my 4 year old niece has been sneaking drinks of her Dad's ale since she could walk 🤣🤣

shangelawasrobbed · 02/12/2021 22:45

How about a Bailey's hot chocolate? Festive, and you can add in as much or as little Bailey's as you like.

dementedpixie · 02/12/2021 22:45

My ds has no interest in trying alcohol (he's 15). My dd is 18 and has a couple of drinks at the weekend.

Libertaire · 02/12/2021 22:50

15 and never tried alcohol? Whatever is the world coming to? Wouldn’t have happened in my day. I despair of the youth of today, I really do.

Cider is a good shout. That’s what we were drinking at her age, we’d get a 2l bottle of White Lightning from the offie and neck it under the bridge before hitting town.

bloodyhoodedeyes · 02/12/2021 22:52

My boys have been drinking Buck's Fizz on Christmas morning since there were little.. wine with Sunday dinners and have tried sips of most drinks. I can't get that she's never even tasted a drink?