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

[DeluxePrincess]

We were invited to a cookout today hosted by one of DH's coworkers. When we arrived, his 12 year old son was sitting around drinking O'Douls. It really took me by surprise. I know this drink is non-alcoholic, but I've never seen it served to kids before. Am I a prude for finding this odd?

 

[low-key]

its ok if your out of Beam

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Nope, I would have a problem with this.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Er, not sure. FYI, it is actually 0.5% alcohol.

 

[handinpocket]

Well, considering it taste like freaking **** without benefit, I would have to wonder why they were allowing this. If my kids were begging to taste my beer, I let them have a taste and they didn't want any more..lol. I see O'Douls as something for recovering alcoholics or the sort. I don't want my 12year to get accustomed to the taste...just strange.

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

Er, not sure. FYI, it is actually 0.5% alcohol.

Yup.

I'll go with no. Also no to tattoos, espressos and cigarettes.

 

[luvmy3]

I think its odd that a 12 year old would like the taste and want to drink it.

 

[FlyingDumbo]

Of course it is not appropriate. Of course not! Yikes.

 

[Cantw8]

I wouldn't allow it but now that I'm thinking about it, I used to let my kids drink non-alcoholic sparkling wine on occassions like NYE. So, is there really a difference? Still wouldn't like it

 

[LisaR]

That is just bizarre!

 

[Coconut36]

Not something I would do. While I do believe kids can benefit from witnessing responsible drinking (meaning seeing parents drink responsibly) because it can help take the mystery away I do not see any need or benefit in allowing a pre teen to drink "non alcoholic" beer.

 

[Tiger926]

Nope. Alcohol is not necessary to my life, so not sure why my child would need it? Obviously they have put thought into the fact that the kid is drinking non-alcoholic beer (which actually does have alcohol in it), so is this a regular occurence, I wonder?

Not sure of the point of that? Alcohol is now the biggest troublesome drug in Canada and the US amongst children between the ages of 14-18. Been reading many articles and professional journals about the binge drinking that is going on, and about the whole issue with parents letting under age kids drink. Lots of problems with alcohol, so not sure why a 12 year old needs any of that...?

I don't get it...Tiger

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Not gonna happen in my house.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

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

 

[Gigi22]

Strikes me a more peculiar than anything else. O'D's is what our acquaintances who have to "give up drinking" for various medical reasons turn to--nobody I know chooses to drink the stuff because they actually like it! Perhaps the OP's DH's friends are secretly aversion-training their son to alcohol?

 

[luvmy3]

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

I don't either but I guess I don't see it as going down that road if this was a one time deal. I know when I was a kid we were allowed to have a drink on NYE, and we also got to have a glass of champagne when we were toasting at a wedding. (I still hate that stuff )

 

[DeluxePrincess]

Not gonna happen in my house.

That's what I kept saying to DH on the way home! I had to hold my feelings in during the 2 hours we were there! The kid drank 2 of them while we were there so clearly he is accustomed to the taste.

 

[Tinijocaro]

I let my four kids have decaf coffee on occasion and you wouldn't believe some of the reactions I get. I'm always surprised at people's surprise!

No, no fake beer for my kids.

 

[Planogirl]

Maybe they only allow it for special occasions? I can't say that I would have allowed it but at least it wasn't regular beer.

 

[POPCITY]

Very strange, but then again, people baffle me all the time.

A good friend of mine buys her 15 yr old cigarettes and beer. She says that he'd get them anyway, so she might as well, and I just don't understand because my DS is only 9.

Sounds like these people are just getting started early.