12 year olds drinking O'Douls...appropriate?

[Duck/Fish]

My brother is a recovering alcoholic. He buys the non alcoholic beers in a bottle because the taste is similar and he likes the feel of the bottle in his hand. The packaging and marketing is so similar to real beer that I do find it inappropriate to serve it to children at a party.

 

[U2_rocks!]

I don't get the "encouraging a taste for beer" argument. IMO, a healthy reason to drink something special (not just thirst-quenching) is because it tastes good and you want to treat yourself under certain circumstances. Just like dessert and snacks - in moderation, because we like them. Liking the taste of something doesn't mean that you're going to overdrink it or drive after drinking it, unless you have an alcohol problem. Teens who just want to get drunk to be cool, to get rid of social anxiety, because everyone is doing it etc. don't care that much about what the drink is - if they don't like beer but it's all that's available, they're going to drink it anyway if it's that important to get drunk. Let's not confuse social drinking because you enjoy something with binge drinking that just has one purpose. I have never bought the connection between a child enjoying the taste of certain alcohol and that same child going out and binge drinking. If your one goal is to make sure your child never, ever drinks, even as an adult, then by all means try to shield them from potentially yummy alcoholic drinks. But my husband and I do drink alcohol, so it wouldn't make sense for us to take the approach of never wanting our kids to get into alcohol, ever - that would be hypocritical, and the kids would see this. If, like us, you are happy for them to be like a large number of functioning adults who have a healthy relationship with alcohol, then it's a good idea to teach them the healthy way to consume alcohol. My kids were not born knowing how to deal with sweets - I had to teach them about nutrition, about the effect of overdoing the sweets, which are good choices, how much is a good amount etc. I'd love to eat tons of chocolate every day, but I control myself (most of the time) because I understand what it's going to do to me. My kids and I still battle with sweets and junk food, but I keep trying to help them make good food choices most of the time and limit the bad food choices. My aim is to do the same with alcohol - there are good times, places and amounts, and you have to learn to use your judgement. I cannot believe how many people send their kids off to college away from home without preparing them for all of the experiences they are likely to have there, including drinking alcohol. They are not born knowing how to handle alcohol, and yes they will learn by their own experience eventually, but they might also kill themselves or others before they do.

ETA: I never actually answered the question in the OP. I probably wouldn't think too much about it. Not sure what circumstances I'd let my kids drink very low alcoholic content drinks - it hasn't come up yet.

 

[SmallWorld71]

I don't get the "encouraging a taste for beer" argument. IMO, a healthy reason to drink something special (not just thirst-quenching) is because it tastes good and you want to treat yourself under certain circumstances. Just like dessert and snacks - in moderation, because we like them. Liking the taste of something doesn't mean that you're going to overdrink it or drive after drinking it, unless you have an alcohol problem. Teens who just want to get drunk to be cool, to get rid of social anxiety, because everyone is doing it etc. don't care that much about what the drink is - if they don't like beer but it's all that's available, they're going to drink it anyway if it's that important to get drunk. Let's not confuse social drinking because you enjoy something with binge drinking that just has one purpose. I have never bought the connection between a child enjoying the taste of certain alcohol and that same child going out and binge drinking. If your one goal is to make sure your child never, ever drinks, even as an adult, then by all means try to shield them from potentially yummy alcoholic drinks. But my husband and I do drink alcohol, so it wouldn't make sense for us to take the approach of never wanting our kids to get into alcohol, ever - that would be hypocritical, and the kids would see this. If, like us, you are happy for them to be like a large number of functioning adults who have a healthy relationship with alcohol, then it's a good idea to teach them the healthy way to consume alcohol. My kids were not born knowing how to deal with sweets - I had to teach them about nutrition, about the effect of overdoing the sweets, which are good choices, how much is a good amount etc. I'd love to eat tons of chocolate every day, but I control myself (most of the time) because I understand what it's going to do to me. My kids and I still battle with sweets and junk food, but I keep trying to help them make good food choices most of the time and limit the bad food choices. My aim is to do the same with alcohol - there are good times, places and amounts, and you have to learn to use your judgement. I cannot believe how many people send their kids off to college away from home without preparing them for all of the experiences they are likely to have there, including drinking alcohol. They are not born knowing how to handle alcohol, and yes they will learn by their own experience eventually, but they might also kill themselves or others before they do.

ETA: I never actually answered the question in the OP. I probably wouldn't think too much about it. Not sure what circumstances I'd let my kids drink very low alcoholic content drinks - it hasn't come up yet.

I understand your logic, but I think that by letting their son drink a product like O'Douls, the people in the original post are doing the exact opposite of what you believe. In your candy example, you are allowing your children to learn how to cope with the real thing, not a sugar-free substitute. Drinking a non-alcoholic brew will not help a child/ teen learn to handle alcohol since the alcohol content is negligible. They will learn nothing about how much alcohol is too much for their body or about the effects that alcohol will have on their body.

 

[YodaGirl]

No. Not appropriate.

That fact that so many folks feel the need to justify and defend says that much as well.

I concur.

 

[Stitchfans]

Interesting concept. I don't see any reason to go down that road with a 12 yr old. Too much like the real thing.

Well said. I agree

 

[luvmy3]

When does something go from an opinion to judgmental? Because my opinion is different from the parents in question or your own belief means I am judgmental?? Is one not allowed to express their opinion? If I agree, it is an opinion, if I disagree, it is judgmental? It is a message board where one is expressing opinions on a subject. I am not at the party shouting from the rooftops that they are horrible parents. I am on a message board saying that I think they are overindulging their kid. Call out the judgment police.

Good grief, why does someone always have to pull the "I'm just sharing my opinion" card when someone brings up the word "judgemental'?
FYI, not everything posted here is about your opinion, the quote you took was directed to the OP, who was a guest at that party and is now sitting in judgement of why she thinks those parents were allowing their kid to have an OD. She even admits to not knowing the whole story. Basing your opinion on one bit of info, when you don't know all the facts does mean you are being judgemental. I don't make up the definitions, you got a problem with it, take it up with Webster

 

[U2_rocks!]

I understand your logic, but I think that by letting their son drink a product like O'Douls, the people in the original post are doing the exact opposite of what you believe. In your candy example, you are allowing your children to learn how to cope with the real thing, not a sugar-free substitute. Drinking a non-alcoholic brew will not help a child/ teen learn to handle alcohol since the alcohol content is negligible. They will learn nothing about how much alcohol is too much for their body or about the effects that alcohol will have on their body.

I totally agree with you that O'Doul's won't teach anyone about the effects of alcohol - that wasn't where I was going with my post at all. I only brought up that part because some people seemed to be implying that learning about the taste of alcohol would lead to abuse in the future. I don't agree - abusing alcohol has nothing to do with liking it as a drink. It has everything to do with liking its effects, and therefore O'Doul's is pretty safe IMO. In any case, 12 is too young to start experimenting with the effects of alcohol - I would personally leave that until a little older when they are bigger and closer to stopping growing. My post was really about the point of view of them getting accustomed to the taste of beer. Someone had commented that they wouldn't want their 12 year old getting used to the taste of beer (since apparently O'Doul's does taste enough like the real thing), and I don't get that - teens liking a certain alcohol isn't what will cause them to overdo it one day. Similarly, hating beer now doesn't mean they'll never drink it (or some other fruity concoction made with vodka that they cannot even taste!).

 

[marcyinPA]

No.Freakin.Way.

That said, both of my kids have tasted our adult beverages. I have told them that I have no problem letting them try a sip, but in no way are they to consume alcohol when we are not around, until they are 21. They know it is illegal and possibly deadly. We are trying to teach them to respect it. We enjoy a glass of wine, or a beer, and it is perfectly fine when you have respect for it.

But to give them their own glass or bottle, of the real thing or "near beer"? Again, I say...no.freakin.way.

 

[luvsJack]

Ok, I am tired and ya'll are confusing the heck out of me! Is this considered an alcoholic drink or not??

If the answer is "yes" then of course the kid should not have been drinking it.

If the answer is "no" then what exactly is the issue? I buy dd virgin daquiris and virgin pina coladas at times, especially when we are on vacation. (one place we go to has a seperate little bar where they only serve virgin frozen drinks--keeps away any possiblity of getting things mixed up I guess). Its no different.

And if the drink is non-alcohol, then its not teaching the kids to drink, not to drink, how to party, how to drink responsibliy or anythng that drinking a soda is or isn't teaching them.

 

[DeluxePrincess]

Ok, I am tired and ya'll are confusing the heck out of me! Is this considered an alcoholic drink or not??

If the answer is "yes" then of course the kid should not have been drinking it.

If the answer is "no" then what exactly is the issue? I buy dd virgin daquiris and virgin pina coladas at times, especially when we are on vacation. (one place we go to has a seperate little bar where they only serve virgin frozen drinks--keeps away any possiblity of getting things mixed up I guess). Its no different.

I think a minor can order a virgin daiquiri here without issue. I think you still need to be 21 to purchase O'Douls, at least in our State, because of the very low alcohol content (0.5%).

 

[sarah4770]

In truth, there is not much difference between a "Shirley Temple", a virgin daiquiri, or an O'douls. Just depends on your stance on alcoholic beverages.

 

[handinpocket]

Ok, I am tired and ya'll are confusing the heck out of me! Is this considered an alcoholic drink or not??

If the answer is "yes" then of course the kid should not have been drinking it.

If the answer is "no" then what exactly is the issue? I buy dd virgin daquiris and virgin pina coladas at times, especially when we are on vacation. (one place we go to has a seperate little bar where they only serve virgin frozen drinks--keeps away any possiblity of getting things mixed up I guess). Its no different.

And if the drink is non-alcohol, then its not teaching the kids to drink, not to drink, how to party, how to drink responsibliy or anythng that drinking a soda is or isn't teaching them.

Virgin mixed drinks taste like slushies, which essentially they are. O'Douls taste like beer. If anyone comes on here and tells me their 12 year old loves the taste, I'm going to call BS on that one.

Do I have a problem that another parent let their kid drink OD? No. I do find it strange and again, MY child will not be drinking OD, nor would they want to.

 

[DisneyLoverUSA]

I think anybody who would let their kid drink Odouls is setting them up to be a lifelong drinker. Who acquires a taste for beer at the ripe old age of 12? That ridiculous. If those ppl were good friends of mine I would have taken mom in the other room and said REALLY? If the kid likes the beer flavor I am sure he will grow up to be a drinker. And in that case, mom and dad will probably start letting him when he is 15 or 16. That whole OH I AM GOING TO LET MY KID DRINK AT HOME TO BE SAFE thing ppl say when they have a big old parenting FAIL and let their young kids drink booze.

 

[luvsJack]

Virgin mixed drinks taste like slushies, which essentially they are. O'Douls taste like beer. If anyone comes on here and tells me their 12 year old loves the taste, I'm going to call BS on that one.

Do I have a problem that another parent let their kid drink OD? No. I do find it strange and again, MY child will not be drinking OD, nor would they want to.

So this is like fake beer? or "near beer"?

A virgin mixed drink tastes like a mixed drink with out the alcohol. To the kid they are getting a "grown up drink", so the effect of kind of pretending to drink would be the same, IMHO.

I don't see the issue unless the laws in the OP's state says that its not ok.

 

[sarah4770]

.

 

[krcit]

Virgin mixed drinks taste like slushies, which essentially they are. O'Douls taste like beer. If anyone comes on here and tells me their 12 year old loves the taste, I'm going to call BS on that one.

Do I have a problem that another parent let their kid drink OD? No. I do find it strange and again, MY child will not be drinking OD, nor would they want to.

I agree. Virgin daquiries are delicious!! Beer is an aquired taste and I wouldn't be encouraging my child to drink beer-flavored drinks. When I was a teen, I HATED the taste of beer so I watered it down with ice and drank from a straw In hindsight, that probably saved me from getting drunk(or drunker) because if I liked the taste I would've downed them more quickly. Just my logic. Might be faulty but it's mine

 

[luvsJack]

The point I was making is that O"Douls, Virgin Daiquiris, still glamorize drinking. A virgin pina colada is still a Pina Colada without the rum, so what is the difference? A shirley temple is still a mixed drink without the alcohol. Sparking cider is champagne without the alcohol.
I think it really does depend on your stance. In France, it is acceptable for young adults to have wine with meals. They may not be alcoholics. But France still has the highest rate of cirrhosis in the world.
One is no better or worse than the other. The key is to educate your child.

ITA!

Too many people seem to think they can prevent their child from doing things by avoiding it or keeping it away from them. Ain't gonna work.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I think that there is a HUGE difference between a fruity non-alcoholic cocktail and an OD.

Call it what you wish, but a non-alcoholic cocktail is basicly a slushie or smoothie or punch or whatever... Which are clearly okay for children by most anybody's standard.

IMHO, that is just not the case with something like the OD. Nothing 'fruity', 'slushie', or 'smoothie' about it. No question in my mind...

Would I think this is appropriate... NO... I would not.
I would not do this with my son, now 13 years old.

Same goes for the Energy Drinks...

He has seen other kids acting cool about going around with these in their hand.
Similarly to what many others have posted, we have let him 'try' them.
But, would I spend money to buy them for him and enable him to put inappropriate crap in his body.
No Way.

But, then again, no way would DH and I ever have beer, OD, Energy Drinks, or any other such stuff in our home and drink it in front of him.
NOT because we are trying to 'shield' him. But because, we just would never want to!!!!

 

[princessmom29]

So, then I guess kids should have a healthy relationship with other drugs too? So, should kids ingest pills or cocaine in preparation for the future?

Sure alcohol is legal and street drugs are not, so let's ignore that for a minute, and just focus on your theory that letting them drink these types of drinks helps them foster a healthy relationship with the drug for future use. In my world, a drug is a drug, and my students constantly ask me why one drug is legal, whereas the others are not? Alcohol is a huge problem in our society, moreso than other drugs that are consumed...

I've said it many times before, we don't need to teach our kids to drink for future reference, as it's not an essential activity to get through life. This boy has obviously acquired a taste for the drink, and the fact that it's non-alcoholic/low alcohol means that he actually more than likely drinks this often.

All of the new studies that are coming out, are showing that parents who let their kids drink at home, are having many problems with those same kids binge drinking and driving while drunk. Kids, especially teens, struggle to separate between drinking at home, and drinking elsewhere, as they have acquired a taste for the product, but most especially the effect it has on their brains. Much more research is being done here, as it's a very slippery slope, and so experts need to see if there is an actual connection here between parental supply of alcohol and alcohol consumption in underage kids.

This won't affect all kids, but it's being shown to be a problem with many, many kids. Just like kids who grew up around no alcohol, they all don't grow up to go nuts and binge drink. It's all about personality, genetics and environment, so why let a 12 year old even start that process? Why not teach kids that alcohol is not necessary to their lives at all, but if they choose to partake in it at an older age, then that is their choice to do so?

As a teacher, I can assure you that there are many more life's lessons that parents should be teaching their kids, that are more relevant than learning how to drink.

Tiger

I disagree totally, and there as studies out there to back my point as well. They say that kids who are taught alcohol is forbidden and are never exposed to adults with a healthy relationship to alcohol are more likely to engare in abusive behaviors like binge drinking and drinking to excess. I don't have a problem with the use of alcohol. I WANT my DD to grow up to have a healthy relationship to alcohol, and to be able o have a glass of wine with dinner or a few drinks with friends if she so chooses. She sees her parents and grandparents do so all the time with no ill effects. In fact red wine is one suggestion FIL's doctor has made to IMPROVE his health. I am not seeking to elimiate it form my life or the life of my child,so I guess our goals are different. I am a teacher as well. I see teens every day and i listen to what they have to say. Beleive me this is a valid issue and one parents need to be addressing sooner rather than later.

 

[Magpie]

I knew of a family (wealthy professionals, I was friends with their nanny), who would put apple juice in a beer bottle so their 3yo could "drink" with them at the parties they liked to throw in the evening. They thought it was cute.

Their nanny thought this was awful and I agreed. Our objection to it wasn't that they were teaching their kid to drink, it was that they were teaching the child that it's safe to grab a beer bottle and chug it.

It's a one-way ticket to alcohol poisoning with a child that young.

By contrast... When my 13yo was in Greece this past summer with his Grandmother, a shop keeper invited them in for a chat and offered them an alcoholic drink (something traditionally Greek). It's legal over there, and considered polite, and my mother urged my son to take a glass. My son drank a little, politely, but he's a Canadian kid and he doesn't find alcohol particularly "cool". Especially not in his Grandma's company. I was fine with that scenario.

As for this one... it's a big "meh" to me. So what if he decides he likes the taste of this near-beer stuff at 12 or 22? It's not likely to turn him into an alcoholic any more than Coca Cola turns kids into Cuba Libre or Rum & Coke addicts. And he's old enough not to poison himself by mistaking a real beer for his near-beer.

Now, a REAL tragic situation is this one:

The mother of a 14-year-old boy and another adult are accused of child endangerment and providing alcohol to a minor after the teenager drowned in Lake Ontario. http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Crime/2011/09/05/18642761.html

If she'd given him a near-beer, he'd have gotten to play at being "all grown up" and he'd still be alive.