https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 29 Apr 2026 21:04:14 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home/page/2#post-832002 Wed, 05 Jun 2013 08:11:29 +0000 littlek 832002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Special occasions, they can have some wine once they are 18. But only at the meal and only special occasions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home/page/2#post-831999 Wed, 05 Jun 2013 08:07:31 +0000 allison 831999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I were just talking about this the other day. I see us allowing our children to taste whatever we're drinking from the time they can ask to do so. I think I'd also let them have their own drink if/when they ask for one (while we're all drinking, during or right before dinner, socially). I agree that I will definitely not condone drinking to get drunk, nor will I allow other kids to drink in my home. I want to encourage "quality" alcohol, too. So no cheap wine coolers or High Life. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home/page/2#post-831859 Wed, 05 Jun 2013 06:29:50 +0000 MrsSCB 831859@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a little conflicted. I see the positives of allowing them to drink in the home earlier, and I do think the drinking age should be lowered to 18. However, at this time the law is 21 and I don't want to give them the idea that it's ok to disobey the law if you don't agree with it. Also, I don't necessarily think that drinking with us would deter them from going crazy with their friends. Peer pressure is a powerful thing, and if everyone else is partying and getting drunk, I'm not convinced that kids would be like, "Oh hey, I'm good, I drink with my parents so I don't need it." It obviously worked for some of you, but I don't think it's 100 percent effective.</p> <p>I don't know, there's a lot to think about. I come from a family with severe alcoholism issues, so I will be very wary of alcohol and my children. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home/page/2#post-831857 Wed, 05 Jun 2013 06:29:16 +0000 SugarplumsMom 831857@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also don't know how we'd handle this. Although my views are a little opposite from @looch, mainly because of where we live. Unlike the rest of Europe, here it's overly conservative when it comes to alcohol and it's common to see binge drinking with adults (at parties)! I don't want my LO to be so deprived and think that alcohol is sooo special that she's going to react like that.</p> <p>We're not drinkers ourselves, so it's not like she'll see us drinking all the time. So maybe it's not something I can control. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home/page/2#post-831848 Wed, 05 Jun 2013 06:11:37 +0000 looch 831848@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know how we will handle this. My husband and I have different views on the topic. He's European and there's really no drinking age and he doesn't view alcohol as taboo. I, on the other hand, feel that it's important to follow the rules and prohibit casual drinking and experimenting until legal age.</p> <p>The one thing we agree on though, is that we will not be hosting any parties where we provide alcohol to underage drinkers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home/page/2#post-831755 Wed, 05 Jun 2013 00:45:21 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 831755@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Big fat no! We don't drink so they won't either. When they hit 21, they can do as they please. Until then, there won't be alcohol under my roof :/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home/page/2#post-831507 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 20:50:07 +0000 Charm54 831507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When they're legal (19 here) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home/page/2#post-831502 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 20:48:01 +0000 bpcmarj 831502@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Once my parents knew that my sisters and I were drinking anyway (usually around 18 or so), they began letting us drink a little bit at home if we were staying in and not driving anywhere. They would never let other kids drink, but we would often drink together at home. Once we were 21, we would go out with our parents quite a bit! DH's parents were the same way. Once I was about 20, they would offer us a beer or glass of wine when we were over there. I don't think that I will do anything too differently. But, I think she would have to be 18. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home/page/2#post-831474 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 20:36:43 +0000 SweetMamaM 831474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents were wine connoisseurs so alcohol has always been in our house in appropriate amounts. We were allowed tiny sips with a meal from around the age of four and I was probably the only seven-year-old in the neighborhood who could make a decent attempt at wine matching with a meal!<br /> I agree with what @Arden: was saying about modeling appropriate behavior. New Zealand has an issue with binge drinking culture, but as that behavior wasn't part of what I saw growing up, I don't binge drink as an adult. I'd rather demonstrate to my children a healthy appreciation for Gewürztraminer than let their friends convince them it's a great idea to get wasted with a cheap bottle of vodka. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home/page/2#post-831185 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 18:54:50 +0000 sera_87 831185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not until the age of majority, which is 18 here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home/page/2#post-830983 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 17:21:25 +0000 Bookish 830983@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm very on the fence about this, and I think it will end up having a huge amount to do with what type of child LO is. For all I know, she won't have any interest in drinking, and it will be a moot point..</p> <p>I think I'm more concerned about showing her good examples of responsible drinking. Alcoholism is pretty rampant in my DH's family, and although he is not an alcoholic, I do wonder if my LO will have an increased chance of being addicted to things. For that reason, it will really be a play it by ear type of thing, and like I said, I just want her to grow up observing healthy, non-destructive behaviors. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home/page/2#post-830949 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 17:09:45 +0000 Penny Lane 830949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we don't drink alcohol, so no. my mum did a really good job of having us not drink growing up without making it a big taboo thing I couldn't wait to do when I moved out. know what i mean?</p> <p>i'm hoping we'll be able to do the same thing with our kids :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home/page/2#post-830943 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 17:08:34 +0000 lemondrop 830943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It depends on how mature and responsible each person is (I hesitate to say child, because other than tiny sips, they wouldn't have their own small glass until later on). We have alcohol in our house on a regular basis, as we have wine or beer with dinner, so I expect my son and any future kids to ask eventually. </p> <p>My parents don't drink, but they let us have small amounts during holidays and special occasions anyway. My grandparents would let me finish the last sip of their beer when I was a child. I do credit being able to try it out before I was on my own- I was never irresponsible with alcohol in high school and college, alcohol was just never a big deal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home/page/2#post-830927 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 17:02:34 +0000 prettylizy 830927@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, at home for special occasions in moderatioin we'll allow a little bit here or there. Wine, champagne or beer likely. Nothing outrageous and nto until they are teenagers but I don't want to create a mentality that alcohol is bad or dirty, just to be treated with respect </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home/page/2#post-830901 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 16:48:11 +0000 lomom 830901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Probably, just depending on his maturity level. I was allowed to drink at 13, like an occasional wine cooler. I rarely ever drank though. Even when I went to college, I'd just have a glass of wine with friends if we got together and cooked dinner or something. Because it was readily available and not taboo, I never cared one way or the other about it. Drinking has never been a form of entertainment for me. If I drink nowadays, it's purely for the taste (I love blueberry wine!)</p> <p>However, my brother was raised the same way and drinks like a fish! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home/page/2#post-830837 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 16:15:55 +0000 mrsmate 830837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it completely depends on how our kids turn out as teenagers, but right now I'm thinking an occasional glass of wine or beer at home with family only. They will not be allowed to throw parties with alcohol at our house, and I certainly won't be buying alcohol for their friends! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home/page/2#post-830616 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 14:54:27 +0000 LuLu Mom 830616@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dandelion: Completely agreed, I wouldn't let an problematic child drink with us even if they are in college! But someone who comes home on the weekend and wants to chat around the kitchen table with a glass of wine or a beer...sure! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home/page/2#post-830582 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 14:46:00 +0000 mrsjyw 830582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We were allowed sips of wine coolers and champagne and beer here and there. </p> <p>I didn't go crazy with college drinking and neither did my younger brother. I think that had more to do with our faith and our physical inability to drink! (damn, asian genes. LOL)</p> <p>Regardless, my parents never made it a huge issue and so it was never a huge taboo thing for either of us.</p> <p>Same with DH... (though he was a frat boy in college! :P and does socially drink now) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home/page/2#post-830567 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 14:42:28 +0000 nana87 830567@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents gave me my first glass of wine at my dad's 50th bday, when I was almost 15, and from then on allowed me to drink a little wine w them at meals. I never went crazy w drinking so I do th ink it helped me learn how to drink wo getting drunk. I will do the same for my kids too </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home/page/2#post-830439 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 14:11:58 +0000 lavender 830439@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A few sips here and there is ok in my book </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home/page/2#post-830432 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 14:11:19 +0000 Honeybee 830432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. I'd rather teach my children about responsible drinking than expect them to learn it themselves in possible dangerous situations, so I'm not opposed to allowing them an occasional drink before 21. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home/page/2#post-830422 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 14:09:03 +0000 Arden 830422@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We don't drink, so no. But I agree with the idea many of you are talking about - teaching kids by example, not making things "taboo" by normalizing it and modeling appropriate behavior. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home/page/2#post-830400 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 14:01:41 +0000 Bao 830400@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was allowed a few sips if I wanted but never really cared to. I'm not a big drinker now but will occasionally have some wine or a mixed drink. I think being allowed made me not want to rebel and go behind my parents back. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home/page/2#post-830374 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 13:55:49 +0000 littlebug 830374@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm really not sure how I'll handle this. I grew up in a house where there was never alcohol. I can probably count on one hand the number of times I saw my parents drink. I had my first drink my senior year of high school (2-3 years after most of my friends, FWIW), and then yes, I partied my face off in college. These days, I enjoy a couple glasses of wine or a few beers now and then.</p> <p>Hubs, on the other hand, grew up in a family that drank. Not his parents, per se, but all of his relatives. And his brothers sometimes worry me with their drinking, and even occasionally so does Hubs. Like, there is no need to drink 6-8 beers on a Friday night, in our house, and get sh!tfaced by yourself. But that's rare, especially now that we have D.</p> <p>So I don't know.... I think we will probably continue to enjoy our glass or two of wine or beer. We will not hide that from our kid(s); it is part of our family "culture." Maybe, once he's old enough and able to have a mature conversation about drinking responsibly, we'll allow him to have a small glass of wine or beer with us, alone, on a special occasion. </p> <p>I would definitely NEVER serve his friends! I've seen that go horribly wrong a few too many times! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home/page/2#post-830328 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 13:43:56 +0000 BananaPancakes 830328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mewtill: Agree. A drink is fine. Drinking to get drunk is not. At least until college. And absolutely not to children that are not mine. </p> <p>We'll allow sips fairly young, and small glasses of wine or champagne by the teenage years. I was raised this way, and I never went crazy. I've had a few crazy nights, but I was no party girl and didn't drink that way in public. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home/page/2#post-830309 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 13:39:28 +0000 loveisstrange 830309@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I do not drink very often, so this probably isn't an issue. However, I wouldn't care if it was a few sips of wine or beer or something.</p> <p>My mom used to give me sips of her strawberry daquiris as a kid. It wasnt a big deal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home#post-830302 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 13:37:29 +0000 mrs. wagon 830302@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents NEVER drank so this was never an issue for me.</p> <p>I had my first drink on my 21st birthday. I went a little party-crazy after that, but I've never blacked out. I've only thrown up from drinking once... the morning after our wedding! Haha. </p> <p>My brother also never drank til he was 21. </p> <p>Wagon Sr. grew up quite differently... his uncles forced him and his brother to try beer and they thought it was disgusting. They both drank in high school, and when they went to college they both went crazy as well. </p> <p>So our experiences don't really mirror the whole "if you never expose your children to alcohol, they will seek it out and/or go crazy in college" theory. They're actually quite the opposite.</p> <p>I'm very much a law-abiding citizen (I don't even like bending the law... even speeding) so I won't serve any children alcohol, even a taste. I hope to enjoy drinks with my kids after they turn 21 though! Wagon Sr. and I enjoy drinks with our parents all the time now. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home#post-830270 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 13:32:23 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 830270@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me, I feel there's a big difference between having "a drink" and "drinking". I would feel okay with our son having a drink with us in our own home, because having a drink is part of our family culture (we often have a glass of wine/beer with dinner, etc). I would not be okay with our son drinking multiple beverages with the goal of getting drunk, even in our house. And I would never let his friends drink at our house or enable him to drink at parties, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home#post-830269 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 13:32:18 +0000 Dandelion 830269@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LuLu Mom: Agreed...past high school, but not until. Also, it would depend on their track record and maturity. I won't let a rebellious kid drink anything, but a responsible kid, yeah I would...just a bit. None of their friends, though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-let-your-children-drink-alcohol-at-home#post-830264 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 13:31:23 +0000 ShootingStar 830264@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have an issue with alcohol before 21, as long as it's a glass or a sip here and there. But since DH and I don't drink that much (he doesn't like it, and I don't really feel the need for it) I'm not sure when they'll be exposed to it. Maybe at family holidays/gatherings since my parents are huge wine and sangria drinkers. Actually, I pretty much only drink around them anyways, haha. </p>