https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 28 May 2026 11:45:12 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children/page/2#post-2366460 Sun, 22 Nov 2015 20:54:16 +0000 Anagram 2366460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We always used water goblets for special occasion dinners in our house. They are fancy and resemble wine glasses. I dont think I would trust my 2.5 year old with a heavy glass just yet, but definitely will when she's a bit older. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children/page/2#post-2366041 Sun, 22 Nov 2015 09:54:35 +0000 theotherstark 2366041@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't read all of the responses, but perhaps you could get him a special melamine/plastic "holiday" cup for him to drink his sparkling cider out of? I would worry that letting him use the wine glasses might be too confusing, personally, so maybe giving him his own special cup that is only for the holiday or special dinners, etc., would redirect him away from the other wine glasses? Just a thought. </p> <p>We always had sparkling cider (and sometimes sparkling grape juice) during holiday parties and dinners, and we thought we were so fancy! We did use wine glasses for the juice later, but when we were older. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children/page/2#post-2365955 Sat, 21 Nov 2015 23:46:52 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2365955@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms maths: for my daughter she just doesn't ask because it's grown up drinks and she likes juice and chocolate milk better (although we are tying to cut down..thankfully her pedi said even though we should push more water and plain milk it's not a *huge* deal at the moment because she is otherwise healthy, a good weight, and eating other healthy foods..) Anyway that said my grandma used to give us little wine glasses at the kids table on thanksgiving, Easter, etc. I can't remember what she put in them but I wanna say red wine! And none of us have a drinking problem or got into trouble with alcohol. Probably because it was yucky to us at that age! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2365940 Sat, 21 Nov 2015 22:51:41 +0000 MOMTOLITTLEB 2365940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is also very persistent but when he asks for some of my soda, wine or beer I just firmly say no and that it's not for him. I just plan on being firm on the important things and try to allow flexibility otherwise. I drink a little juice on weekend mornings, so that is the only time he gets a little too. This applies to things besides drinks and obviously we're no strangers to tantrums but certain things are just a firm no. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2365465 Sat, 21 Nov 2015 00:10:57 +0000 lemondrop 2365465@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Never been an issue for us, we have beer/wine/coffee at meals frequently. We choose not to make it a big deal out of it, they get their cups, we get ours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2365442 Fri, 20 Nov 2015 23:02:21 +0000 Anagram 2365442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: all kids are different. Different things will work for different kids. I don't ever share drinks with LO (I'm wierd aboit that), so it has never been an issue for us, whether it's coffee, hot tea, whatever.</p> <p>But also, LO still doesn't eat dairy or soy so there's a lot of things we eat that she can't, and she's used to it now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2365438 Fri, 20 Nov 2015 22:58:47 +0000 yoursilverlining 2365438@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Zbug: lol, my LO has "helpfully" (and loudly) reminded me that "you need to get you some wine, mama!" in the grocery store. More than once. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2365432 Fri, 20 Nov 2015 22:49:03 +0000 lucy123 2365432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Zbug: I do the same with my daughter so she knows certain drinks are just for mommies and daddies. One time I was drinking Starbucks at Target and she kept yelling Mommy is that Beer? And last week we were in the liquor department at the grocery store and she started saying It's party time, it's party time, pretty sure it was the Christmas decorations, but still.... 😍 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2365431 Fri, 20 Nov 2015 22:43:42 +0000 daniellemybelle 2365431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Zbug: LOL!</p> <p>@wonderstruck: Right. I am resigned to LO doing something annoying at some point during Thanksgiving so no point in even trying to stave it off ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2365427 Fri, 20 Nov 2015 22:31:48 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2365427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm surprised to see so many people say it's never been an issue for them. I have a very inquisitive child who constantly asks what we're drinking, why he can't have any, etc. I have let him sip my coffee before, but told him why he isn't allowed to have it. He always asks for my alcoholic beverages and I've told him that he can't have it until he's 21 cause it's the law (he's very into policemen and what the law is haha), but he still asks a lot and says he wants alcohol haha. We have to continue reiterating that it's an adult drink. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2365405 Fri, 20 Nov 2015 21:48:32 +0000 wonderstruck 2365405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Two year olds are pretty smart, if he knows he can't drink coffee because it's for grown ups, and you tell him some/beer is like coffee, just for grown ups, I can't imagine this being that big of a deal. I mean, he's two, I expect my 2.5 year old will probably find something to be whiny about at Thabksgiving dinner because that's kind of just what toddlers do. But I don't think giving him a special glass and drink that will feel like a kiddie version of wine is a good solution - it just blurs that line/limit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2364393 Fri, 20 Nov 2015 06:49:31 +0000 hellobeeboston 2364393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Some good answers here but just to add; I wouldn't let LO have their own wine glass, just make him aware that those are for adults only. It could be confusing otherwise. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2364287 Thu, 19 Nov 2015 23:56:24 +0000 Zbug 2364287@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just tell my two year old that my wine, coffee, whatever is a mama drink. It hasn't been an issue. She has yelled out "mama juice" several times in the trader Joe's wine section though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2364191 Thu, 19 Nov 2015 22:26:04 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2364191@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms maths: If he already knows and understands that coffee is an adult only drink, just compare the wine/beer to coffee if he asks about it. Something like "this is wine and it is just for mommy and daddy. Just like the coffee that mommy drinks!" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2363543 Thu, 19 Nov 2015 16:30:07 +0000 sarac 2363543@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Same as everyone, but at 4 I've now gone into specifics about how alcohol (and pot, now legal in my state) are things that make you feel a little funny, and that it can be fun at times, but that you need to be an adult first because it can also make you feel sick. I don't really drink, but my husband is a home brewer and always has a beer or two with dinner. </p> <p>My parents did not model responsible alcohol consumption and I'm determined to do so for my children. I don't want to fetishize it, or make it this forbidden fruit. I want to demonstrate that it is a fun part of life when used in a rational and reasonable way. So my children will try it in small amounts as they get older and will always see us doing the same. I'll have to figure out how to do the same with pot, I guess? As legalization spread. Harder to do when smoking it around them exposes them to it, unlike alcohol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2363523 Thu, 19 Nov 2015 16:21:17 +0000 SweetCaroline 2363523@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Truth Bombs: Agreed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2363517 Thu, 19 Nov 2015 16:18:43 +0000 daniellemybelle 2363517@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO knows coffee, soda, wine and beer are for adults and not for kids. We enjoy all of those enough that she's had enough practice being turned down ;)</p> <p>Honestly, I wouldn't stress about it because if it's not this, it will be some other thing. The holidays bring out lots of delightful behavior in kiddos so I expect it to be draining and challenging no matter what... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2363069 Thu, 19 Nov 2015 12:31:38 +0000 ShootingStar 2363069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I drink soda all the time around my 2 year old. When he first asked about it, I called it "mommy juice". Now he points it out and calls it mommy juice and he knows it's not his. </p> <p>Maybe for the next week you could make it a point to drink something or have something around you don't want him drinking and you can reinforce the boundary. Like, maybe have a glass of juice, or leave cups of juice around (juice in case he drinks some of it, as opposed to actual alcohol, lol) and teach him that he can't drink it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2363041 Thu, 19 Nov 2015 12:16:56 +0000 Modern Daisy 2363041@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was allowed to drink alcohol at family gatherings once I turned 13 and it actually helped me to develop a healthy relationship with it and not want to abuse it! As for my 2 yo, he knows that coffee and alcohol are off limits and never questions it. We are pretty liberal with things we let him try/do so I think he understands that this is actually a big deal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2362965 Thu, 19 Nov 2015 11:31:20 +0000 HabesBabe 2362965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Same with the other PPs... some things, she just can't have. I don't go into a long drawn out explanation-- it simply is what it is. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2362944 Thu, 19 Nov 2015 11:22:54 +0000 sunny 2362944@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We often have drinks (alcohol, juice, soda) around LO that we don't allow her to have and she understands these things are off limits for her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2362943 Thu, 19 Nov 2015 11:22:53 +0000 SleepyMonkey 2362943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Dd1 knows that drinks like coffee, soda and wine are for grown ups and it's not a big deal. She just says "when I'm big, I can have wine" and "when you're small, you can't have wine". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2362934 Thu, 19 Nov 2015 11:20:28 +0000 blackbird 2362934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This has never been an issue for us. We drink often at home. And it's "mommy's drink" or "daddy's drink" But hey! You can have your own! And if you cry about it? Well...sorry, dude. Since we don't let E drink out of our coffee cups or wine glasses or beers or whatever, she doesn't really push it. </p> <p>I wouldn't let him have his own stuff in a wine glass b/c what's stopping him from not realizing it's NOT alcohol? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2362931 Thu, 19 Nov 2015 11:19:34 +0000 Ms maths 2362931@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Thanks for the suggestion. In general he doesn't get to drink out of others' cups. He does fine with this most of the time, but it's harder for him in non-standard situations, like parties, when he is really excited and there are special kinds of cups. But I think it's a helpful thing for me to remember to emphasize, rather than trying to engage him on the contents of the cup. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2362887 Thu, 19 Nov 2015 10:59:26 +0000 looch 2362887@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the behaviour of being into the cups is what you should try to address, not so much what's in them, does that make sense?</p> <p>I taught my son from very early on that we do not drink out of any one else's cups and we don't let anyone drink out of ours. It's worked incredibly well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2362881 Thu, 19 Nov 2015 10:56:28 +0000 Ms maths 2362881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: I am sure he can learn this, but he isn't likely to learn it over the course of Thanksgiving dinner :bummed: </p> <p>It took several months of him asking and trying to reach for coffee cups before he accepted that coffee wasn't for him. In the past, he has definitely been persistent at parties about getting beer bottles and wine glasses; I think he would give up if given enough exposure, but he hasn't had it at this point in his life. In the meantime, it's adds an extra layer of stress to parties, where we are trying to manage the party and socialize and make sure kids aren't up to too much mischief. </p> <p>I'm not sure what I was looking for in posting, except I was feeling stressed in anticipation of this particular aspect of Thanksgiving and hoping for a magic solution I hadn't thought of :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2362836 Thu, 19 Nov 2015 10:40:50 +0000 yoursilverlining 2362836@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO knows that wine is only for grownups (same as coffee). She's never questioned it or tried to drink either wine or coffee. </p> <p>If your LO has learned and accepts that coffee is off-limits, why do you think it would be different for wine/beer? I would think they would accept that rule as well. (?) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2362826 Thu, 19 Nov 2015 10:36:35 +0000 Madison43 2362826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmm. We've never had an issue - as others have said, she knows some drinks are for grown ups. And although we regularly drink wine, she rarely sees us because it's usually a celebratory drink after bedtime :happy: For my 2 year old, giving her a wine glass would create more issues - she loves to "share" with me, and would get bent out of shape that we could have the same glass and not drink from it together. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2362747 Thu, 19 Nov 2015 10:14:06 +0000 BandDmommy 2362747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Same as others. Some drinks are for adults. Never been an issue. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/navigating-alcoholic-drinks-and-other-forbidden-foods-around-children#post-2362743 Thu, 19 Nov 2015 10:12:35 +0000 LuLu Mom 2362743@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD's never asked for alcohol, she knows beer is "daddy's" and wine is "mommy's" and it's only for adults. She's had pop on special occasions and she knows that's special. I wouldn't allow wine glasses because I wouldn't want to make a habit of it, maybe in elementary school for sparkling grape juice or something but not this young. </p>