We let our kids have wine with dinner at home when we do. Small tastes even at young ages, in their own glass. And when we have travelled in Europe, they have had wine and beer/ale served to them in restaurants and at friends' houses.
I voted 14, but I realize that was a very US-centric answer. If we lived in Holland or Italy I would have voted a lot younger.
Our rules have always been one drink, and no driving (for our driver) afterwards. We have made the point that drinking is okay, getting drunk never is, and that drinking and driving should never mix. They are not allowed to drink away from us. If they are at a party and there is alcohol, they need to let us know. If the party is supervised and no one is drunk, we won't make them leave, but if there is drunkenness or alcohol is the point of the party, they need to come home. This has only happened on two occasions, and we allowed them to invite their (non-drinking) friends to come with them and hang out at our house as an alternative to the party.
Of the two, cars are much more dangerous than alcohol. We enrolled our older child in a driver safety course after he completed driver's ed and got his first licence, and I think that is something we should require for all drivers under 18. Regulating driving is much more important than regulating alcohol, and being a good driver is not just about driving safely, it is about what to do when the other guy isn't.
I voted 14, but I realize that was a very US-centric answer. If we lived in Holland or Italy I would have voted a lot younger.
Our rules have always been one drink, and no driving (for our driver) afterwards. We have made the point that drinking is okay, getting drunk never is, and that drinking and driving should never mix. They are not allowed to drink away from us. If they are at a party and there is alcohol, they need to let us know. If the party is supervised and no one is drunk, we won't make them leave, but if there is drunkenness or alcohol is the point of the party, they need to come home. This has only happened on two occasions, and we allowed them to invite their (non-drinking) friends to come with them and hang out at our house as an alternative to the party.
Of the two, cars are much more dangerous than alcohol. We enrolled our older child in a driver safety course after he completed driver's ed and got his first licence, and I think that is something we should require for all drivers under 18. Regulating driving is much more important than regulating alcohol, and being a good driver is not just about driving safely, it is about what to do when the other guy isn't.