Comments on: Should You Let Your Teens Have Sips of Champagne on New Year’s Eve?

By: Leah

Leah — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 16:59:53 +0000

Eileen-yu sound to me like a very conscious parent.sometimes, no matter what we do, our kids turn out how they turn out. Genetics and peers and life experience also play a role in their drinking habits-not just parenting.

By: Eileen

Eileen — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 03:07:28 +0000

My kids are grown. I am an adult child of 2 alcoholics. I was completely against any hard liquor in the house, but we did have wine and beer, and that was only with the evening meal. I traveled to Europe as a young adult and was impressed with attitude of people and drinking there. My husband and I did allow the kids to have a couple of drops of wine in their glass of water at the table. I know that did very little drinking in high school, but did party alot in college. My oldest son drinks beer everyday now and I’m getting concerned. My other son only drinks socially as does my daughter, but she just moved out on her own so I don’t know how that will go. I have tried so hard to practice moderation, but also it has taken me decades to realize the cost for me growing up in the household I did. I have no idea if what we did was right or wrong anymore. Thank you for this site.

By: Caren

Caren — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:44:03 +0000

I think it’s great that there’s discussion and controversy, and each person brings her own experience to this issue. Coming from a European background where wine was always present at meals and family gatherings, I have allowed my teenage kids to sip and taste with us on the odd occasion, celebration, and on vacation. But I make sure that they know this is something that is okay do to WITH their parents, but something that they should be careful about in every other circumstance until they are of legal drinking age. Not sure what is best, but this way worked for me, and I’m hoping the same for my kids…