coffee-my 10 year old wants some

[goofyme]

so how old were you when you first started drinking coffee and/or how old do your children have to be?? i said no but how old should you be?

 

[Barb D]

My 10yo likes a teeny bit of coffee mixed in with hot chocolate. Maybe your 10yo would go for something like that.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

I can't remember exact age but I was younger then 10...what I got was milk, sugar, and just enough coffee to change the milk a light caramel color.

 

[Fantasmic303]

I don't have an answer 'cause I still don't drink it (I'm a tea bag, myself), but here's something curious...

I've been re-reading Harry Potter (Order of the Phoenix) again and have noticed that the kids in the books drink coffee. Not sure if this is British lingo for something else or if it's actual American coffee coffee, but I thought it was interesting.


Tell your DD/DS to stick to hot cocoa!!

 

[KevinNYC]

normally, the medical community isn't keen on children drinking coffee since they already ingest a lot of caffine each day by way of sodas etc/ so moderation is the key and balanced with whatever the child already consumes in his/her daily diet..of course decaffinated coffee might be better to try first...but I think by 10 or so it should be ok to try some in moderation and on occassion. For me, I was 15 before I ever wanted to try coffee.

 

[poohbear2]

Actually, I believe I had read somewhere that coffee is better than soda. I wish I could remember where. I was also told by someone who is now an adult that his dr. told his parents to give him coffee to help with his ADHD. I guess it seemed to work for him. He didn't drink cups full, just a little in the morning I guess.

 

[tidoublegger]

My honest opinion is that 10 years old is ****way**** too young for coffee! I think sodas that contain caffeine should not be given to kids under 12 years old either! Kids don't need caffeine!!! Most kids aren't getting enough sleep and letting them have caffeine can disrupt normal sleep patterns! If your 10 year old wants coffee, give him decaf!! JMHO!

 

[CBRorBust]

I'd just let them drink it. They will most likely hate it! And never want to drink it again! I'm sure your child is just curious! I'd give it to them BLACK and tell them that's what it is supposed to taste like!

I'm sure 1 cup won't hurt!

 

[TalkisCheap]

I'm totally addicted to ice coffee. A little cream, no sugar...it's the best stuff on earth! And I'm 13. I have never liked hot coffee but I started having sips of my mom's ice coffee when I was around 8. Then by 10ish I could get small ones, and now I can get any size, any time I want. I only drink decaf though, because my mom only drinks decaf so I just naturally got into the habit of drinking that, instead of regular. It tastes the exact same, to me anyway...I've had regular, too. I hate how people says it will 'stunt your growth.' I'm 5'5 and I'm definatly not done growing...and I have an ice coffee...I dunno, one or twice a week...even in the freezing maine winters .



-Caroline

 

[Christine]

My kids have been drinking hot tea (with caffeine) since they were about 4 or 5. Guess they picked that habit up from me. I dno't drink coffee but my DH does as well as everyone else around my. My kids were interested in trying it a young age (like 6/7-ish) and they liked it. They don't have it very often but when they do it is about half coffee, half milk and 2 tsp. sugar. It doesn't seem to hype them up or anything. My mom said she was given coffee at a very early age and has been drinking it ever since. She's pretty healthy.

 

[CajunDixie]

Younger DS (10) has a cup of flavored coffee every Sunday morning. I don't see how it can be any worse than a bottle of Mountain Dew. It's not like he's smoking or doing drugs.....its just a non-alcoholic drink so what's the big deal?

 

[Robinrs]

I didn't drink anything with caffeine until I was in my 30s and now I'm hopelessly addicted to it!

My son, 11, doesn't drink anything with caffeine and in Coke country that is a chore! As long as I can prevent it I will. Kids will always want to emulate adults, and as adults we have to decide what they will and will not have until it's their choice. If you choose to let them, that's your choice and that's your prerogative.

I just feel that kids plus caffeine plus sugar is a BIG problem. I am convinced that half of the overactive children would be cured if they stopped eating stimulants. Stopping sugar transformed my son. It's one addiction they don't need. I've put my household on an only water to drink regimen. It was not easy but it works for us.

 

[BHFan25]

Only water? Robinrs, you are a toughie!! I drink flavered water--Propel--but that is it for water.

I was going to say "It stunts your growth" but talkischeap said she didn't like to hear people say that!! But my mom is only 5'0" and they gave her coffee when she was little so that was proof enough for me when I was growing up!

I like a little coffee with my cream! LOL My friend Leota says I drink a "cup of candy".

All this and I have no response to your question........

 

[Talking Hands]

My daughters have been drinking Cafe con Leche since they were in kindergarden. Lots of milk and a little Cuban coffee added. That and galleta make a great breakfast in a hurry.

 

[CdnDisneyNut]

I think I was around 10 when I started to drink tea. I had more sugar in it than anything else. There was always leftover sugar in the bottom of the cup. I was more hyper on the sugar than the cafine.

 

[AirForceRocks]

Both of my kids (10 & 7) like to drink a little bit of coffee with milk in it. They don't get if often, but as an occassional treat. DH and I both drink a lot of coffee, and we don't see a problem with letting the kids have some every now and then.

 

[Christine]

Originally posted by Robinrs
I just feel that kids plus caffeine plus sugar is a BIG problem. I am convinced that half of the overactive children would be cured if they stopped eating stimulants. Stopping sugar transformed my son. It's one addiction they don't need. I've put my household on an only water to drink regimen. It was not easy but it works for us.

Did you know that stimulants actually *calm* down the hyperactivity in ADHD children? Before Ritalin was out, they used to prescribe coffee for children who were hyper in the classroom. My DH had to have a cup every morning to keep him from fidgeting. I'd say the "bouncing off the walls" syndrome has more to do with sugar and food additives then anything...and of course, if you are watching the news yesterday and today it is the TV that they watched in toddlerhood that is the cause for their lack of attention.

 

[jipsy]

One of my fondest memories is when I was little - around 5 or 6 - spending the night with my Grandparents. In the morning while Grandmother was cooking breakfast, I can remember sitting in my Granddaddy's lap and he would pour a little coffee into his saucer and let me drink it with him. Then he would scrub his not-yet-shaven chin across my neck and give me a kiss on the cheek.

Other than that, I never really wanted coffee. As a matter of fact I didn't start drinking it till I was about 28.

 

[peg2001]

I'm another one who had coffee as a child, occasionally and with lots of milk and sugar. I came from a family that weaned babies from breast to iced tea so I guess caffeine wasn't a real concern.

I still only drink coffee every once in a while. . .maybe once a month or two. My kids (4 and 7) have not expressed an interest in trying it. . .and their iced tea is decaf.

Peggy

 

[CyranoJones]

Jipsy


I grew up in Rhode Island. I've been drinking brewed coffee since I was about 2 years old. And coffee milk, and coffee ice cream.

Most people think I turned out all right.

And I'm 5'6".