alcohol

[salvadevinemasse]

How many of you believe if you let your kids drink some that they wont drink and drive as long as you allow them to have a beer a month and such? How many of you let your kids drink? and how many have kids ages of 1-20? What types do you yourself drink also?

The reason I ask this is I noticed a couple CCer's talking about alcohol and they drink on/off and I was curious.. I myself am a schnapps/wine type

[FiveThreeEight]

I drink beer, and only beer. Corona, to be exact. As far as kids, I have two. A three-year-old and a six-month-old. I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

[static_ice]

this kid on my tennis team was 18 and his parents let him drink and store his own beer in his fridge... when the coach came this one time his parents took out his beer and served it to the coach!

[Kaplowitz]

this kid on my tennis team was 18 and his parents let him drink and store his own beer in his fridge... when the coach came this one time his parents took out his beer and served it to the coach!

lol, i wonder if my parents will give me beer if i make the school tennis team!

[cleveridea]

I try to limit myself to homebrew.

The standing rule in my house for my eight-year-old son is that if he can make it he can drink it. He has yet to make any beer. The propane and scalding liquids seem like a bigger worry than the alcohol...

[gimil]

this kid on my tennis team was 18 and his parents let him drink and store his own beer in his fridge... when the coach came this one time his parents took out his beer and served it to the coach!

you Americans get it so bad the drinking age in the UK is 18 although ive been drinking since i was 16 but was always responsible

[tzor]

I don't have kids. There is a law where I live where the parents are responsible if the kids (or even teens since the age is 21) are served or manage to sneak in booze on the parent's property. Now the parents are parinoid to the nth degree because they can get in serious trouble.

My cousin (who currently has kids) had it the worst. The drinking age went right up while she was at spitting distance to it. She was 18 when it became 19, 19 when it became 20, 20 when it became 21. At least I was able to have it at 18.

The biggest problem was in the college scene. Granted in my days there was the KNURD/DRUNK problem at R.P.I., you were either studying overnight for an exam or drunk, but with the potential for most of the college students to be underage, drinking as we knew it back then has ceased to exist. What is college without keggers? Personally I blame this for all the disasters of the 21st century.

[Norse]

Been on the piss since I was 13.

Beer is my tipple of choice, although sometimes I like a G'n'T or brandy.

[The1exile]

ive been drinking since i was 16 but was always responsible

responsible 16 year old my arse.

[nagerous]

Been on the piss since I was 13.

QFT.... gotta love Britain and our blase attitude towards alcoholic beverages compared to the USA and their intolerance of alcohol drinking when you're frickin 20!

[DAZMCFC]

i`ve been drinking in pubs since i was 15, in clubs at 16. 1 night 5 of us got nicked for smashing a window. 3 of us were 16,1 17 and my brother was 18 and the only one legal. there was nothing the police could do, a night in the cells and told to come back in a fortnights time. a slapped wrist and that was that.

my daughter is 15 and we let her have little drink now and again.
on holiday this year(she was 14 at the time) she got served at the bar and bought me and the wife a drink. she was very chuffed about that.

[AtomicSlug]

Kids are gonna do what they want. In fact, the more you tell them NOT to do something, in their teens they will do the opposite, just to defy you as a parent.

Ask them not to drive if they get drunk and not to get into a car with someone else that is driving drunk. Offer to pick them up from the party. And lastly, set and enforce a house rule: no alcohol or drugs allowed in the house.

Oh wait, one more thing: do NOT push any religion on your kids. My first boss was a Born Again Christian, and his daughter ended up being a tramp and druggie. If they want to go to church/temple/mosque/whatever - let them, but don't push religion or morals on them. Educate them for sure, but don't force it. Forcing anything only encourages rebellion.

Just suggestions from experiences from my own life. I'm not preaching here. Take it as you will.

[nagerous]

Kids are gonna do what they want. In fact, the more you tell them NOT to do something, in their teens they will do the opposite, just to defy you as a parent.

Ask them not to drive if they get drunk and not to get into a car with someone else that is driving drunk. Offer to pick them up from the party. And lastly, set and enforce a house rule: no alcohol or drugs allowed in the house.

Oh wait, one more thing: do NOT push any religion on your kids. My first boss was a Born Again Christian, and his daughter ended up being a tramp and druggie. If they want to go to church/temple/mosque/whatever - let them, but don't push religion or morals on them. Educate them for sure, but don't force it. Forcing anything only encourages rebellion.

Just suggestions from experiences from my own life. I'm not preaching here. Take it as you will.

I'm afraid I am going to have to disagree profoundly with a couple of your thoughts (and agree with a couple of your latter ones). Not trying to be antagonistic but if you're going to have a relationship where there is no trust with your children then this will only lead to later problems. We've always had alcohol in the house and I regularly drink with my parents at dinner time on weekends and friday nights (when I had school) for the last couple of years when I am only 18. They have always trusted me and let me do what I like. I have had no adverse affects from this as I have managed to get myself 2 As and 2 Bs at A levels, which is really good and am well in health. If they had been less lax, it would have encouraged me to rebel more and my relationship with my parents may have been more damaged. However, I do to a certain extent that religion should never be forced on children. Unfortunately we live in a society where parents are going to exert their authority on their children, forcing them to live a certain way and even possibly disowning them if they don't follow their ways, which is saddening.

[AtomicSlug]

Kids are gonna do what they want. In fact, the more you tell them NOT to do something, in their teens they will do the opposite, just to defy you as a parent.

Ask them not to drive if they get drunk and not to get into a car with someone else that is driving drunk. Offer to pick them up from the party. And lastly, set and enforce a house rule: no alcohol or drugs allowed in the house.

Oh wait, one more thing: do NOT push any religion on your kids. My first boss was a Born Again Christian, and his daughter ended up being a tramp and druggie. If they want to go to church/temple/mosque/whatever - let them, but don't push religion or morals on them. Educate them for sure, but don't force it. Forcing anything only encourages rebellion.

Just suggestions from experiences from my own life. I'm not preaching here. Take it as you will.

I'm afraid I am going to have to disagree profoundly with a couple of your thoughts (and agree with a couple of your latter ones). Not trying to be antagonistic but if you're going to have a relationship where there is no trust with your children then this will only lead to later problems. We've always had alcohol in the house and I regularly drink with my parents at dinner time on weekends and friday nights (when I had school) for the last couple of years when I am only 18. They have always trusted me and let me do what I like. I have had no adverse affects from this as I have managed to get myself 2 As and 2 Bs at A levels, which is really good and am well in health. If they had been less lax, it would have encouraged me to rebel more and my relationship with my parents may have been more damaged. However, I do to a certain extent that religion should never be forced on children. Unfortunately we live in a society where parents are going to exert their authority on their children, forcing them to live a certain way and even possibly disowning them if they don't follow their ways, which is saddening.

I think it really depends on the family dynamics. My father was an abusive alcoholic and left when I was around 10. My mom told us not to smoke, as she light up a cigarrette. She told us not to drink, but had a nice stash of Whiskey (JD) and Vodka in a cupboard. We used to take some whiskey and then water it down because she kept a line on the bottle, but this always failed because she could always tell if it was watered down. So in my case it was a single parent raising 5 unruly kids.

We used to sneak in vodka, and then go upstairs to my room to mix it with the massive amounts of kool-aid that we kept coming downstairs for and play games like monopoly and shit. She had no idea. (and the only video game at that time was "Pong", so that can give u an idea about how ancient I am lol)

So basically, she would say shit like "Do as I say, not as I do", and sorry, but that shit just didn't fly.

But every family is different, and it helps a lot if both parents are there and the number of children are only a couple. Trying to keep track of 5+ kids is very difficult for any parent(s). We broke the rules just to defy her.

[salvadevinemasse]

Kids are gonna do what they want. In fact, the more you tell them NOT to do something, in their teens they will do the opposite, just to defy you as a parent.

Ask them not to drive if they get drunk and not to get into a car with someone else that is driving drunk. Offer to pick them up from the party. And lastly, set and enforce a house rule: no alcohol or drugs allowed in the house.

Oh wait, one more thing: do NOT push any religion on your kids. My first boss was a Born Again Christian, and his daughter ended up being a tramp and druggie. If they want to go to church/temple/mosque/whatever - let them, but don't push religion or morals on them. Educate them for sure, but don't force it. Forcing anything only encourages rebellion.

Just suggestions from experiences from my own life. I'm not preaching here. Take it as you will.

I'm afraid I am going to have to disagree profoundly with a couple of your thoughts (and agree with a couple of your latter ones). Not trying to be antagonistic but if you're going to have a relationship where there is no trust with your children then this will only lead to later problems. We've always had alcohol in the house and I regularly drink with my parents at dinner time on weekends and friday nights (when I had school) for the last couple of years when I am only 18. They have always trusted me and let me do what I like. I have had no adverse affects from this as I have managed to get myself 2 As and 2 Bs at A levels, which is really good and am well in health. If they had been less lax, it would have encouraged me to rebel more and my relationship with my parents may have been more damaged. However, I do to a certain extent that religion should never be forced on children. Unfortunately we live in a society where parents are going to exert their authority on their children, forcing them to live a certain way and even possibly disowning them if they don't follow their ways, which is saddening.

I'm fully with you on this. I think it would have been worse knowing my parents didn't trust me. I'd rather have the beer or booze in good faith.. you know? I plan on doing that with my kids someday.. I want my kids to know I love them and trust them.. mind you I'll have the keys to their car so they cant drink and drive.. my dad was hit by one luckily no major harm was done to him except bumps and bruises.
anyways enough said I think right?

[static_ice]

this kid on my tennis team was 18 and his parents let him drink and store his own beer in his fridge... when the coach came this one time his parents took out his beer and served it to the coach!

lol, i wonder if my parents will give me beer if i make the school tennis team!

nah I think its just his parents are from Italy and I guess they grew up with looser drinking laws overthere

[salvadevinemasse]

Kids are gonna do what they want. In fact, the more you tell them NOT to do something, in their teens they will do the opposite, just to defy you as a parent.

Ask them not to drive if they get drunk and not to get into a car with someone else that is driving drunk. Offer to pick them up from the party. And lastly, set and enforce a house rule: no alcohol or drugs allowed in the house.

Oh wait, one more thing: do NOT push any religion on your kids. My first boss was a Born Again Christian, and his daughter ended up being a tramp and druggie. If they want to go to church/temple/mosque/whatever - let them, but don't push religion or morals on them. Educate them for sure, but don't force it. Forcing anything only encourages rebellion.

Just suggestions from experiences from my own life. I'm not preaching here. Take it as you will.

I'm afraid I am going to have to disagree profoundly with a couple of your thoughts (and agree with a couple of your latter ones). Not trying to be antagonistic but if you're going to have a relationship where there is no trust with your children then this will only lead to later problems. We've always had alcohol in the house and I regularly drink with my parents at dinner time on weekends and friday nights (when I had school) for the last couple of years when I am only 18. They have always trusted me and let me do what I like. I have had no adverse affects from this as I have managed to get myself 2 As and 2 Bs at A levels, which is really good and am well in health. If they had been less lax, it would have encouraged me to rebel more and my relationship with my parents may have been more damaged. However, I do to a certain extent that religion should never be forced on children. Unfortunately we live in a society where parents are going to exert their authority on their children, forcing them to live a certain way and even possibly disowning them if they don't follow their ways, which is saddening.

I think it really depends on the family dynamics. My father was an abusive alcoholic and left when I was around 10. My mom told us not to smoke, as she light up a cigarrette. She told us not to drink, but had a nice stash of Whiskey (JD) and Vodka in a cupboard. We used to take some whiskey and then water it down because she kept a line on the bottle, but this always failed because she could always tell if it was watered down. So in my case it was a single parent raising 5 unruly kids.

We used to sneak in vodka, and then go upstairs to my room to mix it with the massive amounts of kool-aid that we kept coming downstairs for and play games like monopoly and shit. She had no idea. (and the only video game at that time was "Pong", so that can give u an idea about how ancient I am lol)

So basically, she would say shit like "Do as I say, not as I do", and sorry, but that shit just didn't fly.

But every family is different, and it helps a lot if both parents are there and the number of children are only a couple. Trying to keep track of 5+ kids is very difficult for any parent(s). We broke the rules just to defy her.

I know a tiny bit of what you went through.. My mom was an alcoholic for 2 years till she heard her sons calling me "mom" then she went cold turkey..

She hated it because she felt horrible.. She had been on paxil, as soon as she got off the paxil she hated alcohol for a long time and wouldn't touch it. She drinks a little here and there but not as much as she use to.

How did it effect my brothers? They hate alcohol and what my mom put us through.. We would hear "Hunny, can you go to pam's and get me beer" I'd go, while my brothers would say "We wont help you with your addiction mom." (mind you they were only like 11 and saying this already. They refuse to touch alcohol)

First day my mom was on paxil she took 2 instead of 1 pill had a black out and took the whole bottle. Everyone told me my mom tried to kill herself.. I saved my mom's life that day by keeping her awake while her friend traveled an hour to come get my mom to take her to the hospital. I was the one who handed her the last pill so for a long time I blamed myself. I've come to terms with it and it doesn't hurt as much as it did at first. I can never explain that feeling that i had for so long.

Then not long ago like 6 months tops my dad got hit by the drunk driver..We have had our lives affected in so many ways by drugs and alcohol but I still can't help the fact that I like certain drinks.. I just plan on doing the whole once in a while thing and not everyday like how my mom did it for the 2 years she was on paxil..you know?

[Arbustos]

I don't agree with it to any extent and I won't ever drink (or do anything else) personally, but wine in moderation is acceptable. I'm too jaded by what I see around me, i.e., seeing my peers at 14 chewing tobacco and guzzling beer at Lynyrd Skynyrd concerts -_-

[KiwiTaker]

Lol i'm old enough to dink alcohol here in NZ. The drinking age is only 18 and I passed that threshold more than a year go. But I choose to drink in moderation and then only like a shot of vodka every couple of weeks.

[KiwiTaker]

Sorry for double post computer lagged.

[muy_thaiguy]

I'm with Arb on this one, though in my town, non-drinkers are a rarity here (27 bars and 3 different campuses, what else do you expect). Though wine for religous reasons is a different thing altogether.

[hecter]

I've been drinking for as long as I can remember (I'm French, gotta have that wine) but I didn't get drunk for the first time until I was about 12. I've been getting drunk every so often ever since. And I'll drink anything, except for unmixed hard liquors.

[AlgyTaylor]

Was allowed to drink at home from 14 provided it wasn't in large quantities. Had tried beer before that .. my dad let me have a sip of his bitter from time to time, although I didn't really like the taste and the amount he gave me wasn't enough to get me even tipsy.

Had a mad session from 18 y.o. until 20 drinking fairly heavily, but since 20 I've toned it down massively, rarely have more than 2 or 3 pints now (I'm 25). Still have a mad 'un occasionally, of course, but they're few & far between.

I'm of the opinion that provided you're taught at a fairly early age (13/14) to be responsible with alcohol then 'under-age' drinking is OK and probably beneficial - in that you're less likely to go mad later on in life.

Personally I'd go along the line of letting a 13/14 year old have a drink once in a while as a treat and then introduce them slowly to alcohol that they don't have to attempt to buy illegally, but of course is in limited supply so that they can't overdo it even if they want to.

[Arbustos]

The acceptance of underage-drinking is slightly worrying. Instead of giving the teen alcohol as a treat and basically introducing them to a degenerative disease, why not warn them about the dangers of even moderate consumption, especially while the body is still developing? If they're made to understand their entire lives the unnecessary risk of alcohol, chances are they won't ever become alcoholics. Or you could just let them see you drunk a few times -- that should stop them from touching the stuff. (It worked for me, although with the obvious detriment to my health I never was going to anyways.)


Just a little statistic: Over 40% of all people who start drinking before 15 become alcoholics.

Maybe some of the tragic and unnecessary deaths I've seen of people 16 and under because of alcohol has something to do with my beliefs as well. You can't pretend a substance that is inherently addictive won't lead to abuse. I will say my hatred of cigs goes far beyond alcohol, though

[AtomicSlug]

But the problem is that you can't stop kids from drinking or doing drugs. All u can do is do ur best to educate them, offer them help, and if ur religious, pray. If ur agnostic like me, well, just do the best u can and wish them the best.

All I was trying to say was that the more controlling parents are, the more likely their kids are to rebel. This is something I believe, I have no stats, but again, take it as u will.