Teresa

And IF it weren't allowed, that would be good advice....however, in our family, it IS allowed. We drink wine with dinner quite often, and we have the occasional drink in the evenings. It's just a part of our family life, and no big deal, as long as it's kept in moderation. But again, that's just US, and to each their own.

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AnKsMommy

For a holiday or celebration I might let my teen have a drink. We don't drink in my house aside from a holiday or celebration, so it seems fair. I just don't want to set the example that alcohol is okay...so I just don't do it. But I've seen parents do it both ways where alcohol was allowed and kids were fine and forbidden and kids were fine.

I think most teens go though an age where they want to drink. It would depend on what they were drinking, how much, and why. I'm less likely to flip about about a mike's hard lemonade than I am about vodka. I used to hide a bottle of fuzzy navel under my bed lol. Girlie drinks...told my mom about it years later.

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Ali - Mommy to Alenya and Kaitlyn

Aunt

I do agree with the person who said they would not allow other peoples kids to drink in their house. This is kind of asking for trouble.
But Foozer why ban sex either? Did your parents banning it stop you? Obviously it would depend on the age and maturity level of the teenager but I would sooner turn a discreet blind eye to a 16 or 17 year old having sex in their bedroom with someone they cared about than have them screwing in a park or car or lying about their whereabouts. All we can really do is arm older kids with information and be there for them as they make their own way in the world.

musicmom

teenager17

Getting back to the topic, does anyone think that at some point maybe junior or senior year, parents should basically let their kids make decisions about drinking and smoking, but letting them know they can call at any point for a ride if they need. Most kids are going to college in a year or two and everyone knows that stuff happens there, kids might as well learn how to control themselves now, with their parents around. Right??

Shari Nielsen

As a high school teacher I overhear many conversations by groups of students re: their party habits. It boggles my mind how many parties occur where parents are there to monitor and they let the kids (their own AND their kids friends) drink. Most kids report that their keys are confiscated when they get to these parties so they can't drink and drive home, but still....I couldn't imagine letting a bunch of 16 yr olds get drunk at my house b/c "I would rather have them here than somewhere else" (the reason I hear most often). They are kids and their bodies shouldn't be dealing w/ alcohol!!!

We recently ran a survey at our school and found that about 60% of our seniors drink enough to get drunk and 90% of them drink at their friend's houses.

I could see a sip or two just to see what it tastes like (I would also offer the most disgusting drink ever) at home, but I certainly would set the rule that it is not allowed socially until they are much older.

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fallon

nope...if that child gets busted breaking the law I have to pay to fix that...as long as I am responsible for that child they will respect that. I'm not saying I there aren't exceptions, just that they should be allowed to make their own choices about such things until they are legal to make these choices for themselves. You can teach a child to control themselves without giving them free rain

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teenager17

I would say that's actually a pretty good sign that kids get their keys taken away at parties, and that there are parents there. Most places the parents are gone for the night, and sometimes kids will drive completely wasted to get home for the curfew. This is a direct result of the fact parents are not understanding of their kids.

jtee

When it comes to drinking & driving, I'm pretty ruthless in the area of no tolerance, teenager or not. I'd be more than happy to see a teenager license revoked for 1+ year so they don't ruin their lives and the lives of others at some future date.

AnKsMommy

I would want my child to know that if they needed me to call and pick them up because they were too drunk that they could do that. But I wouldn't want them to take advantage of me either. I would rather them not drink and if they were to get in to a situation where they were drinking too much or too often there would be limits on certain things.

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Ali - Mommy to Alenya and Kaitlyn