Parents: Your thoughts on alcohol and your kids?

Kwesi · #1 08-01-2011, 05:42 PM

Major Metal made a similar thread but I wanted to make something a little more open ended.

I've ask for alcohol jokingly for years now but I just asked my dad a few minutes ago and he said "Sure, why not? You're a grown man now." It made me feel all warm n' fuzzy inside to hear him say that but at the same time it made me wonder how and why my mom's opinion is the polar opposite. I'm a big guy. 6' 250lbs and fairly responsible. Not saying that that it precludes me from getting drunk but it'll take a bit and even then, I'd be in their presence so they could stop me.

I've asked my mom why she feels this way and would it change once I hit 21 and she said she'd tell me later and that it probably wouldn't change even after I can drink legally. I'm sure we'll talk about it again in the future (and hopefully we'll actually talk next time) but I was wondering what other parents think about their child and alcohol?

carl h. · #2 08-01-2011, 05:45 PM

Quality of life isn't generally improved with it. If you enjoy drinking alcohol, go for it.

I prefer to keep the company of friends who don't need a buzz to be interesting. It's more fun remembering a good time than being vaguely aware that you were drunk that time...

I'll add that I haven't had a drink since the night I became legal. I don't miss it.

ugly_bassplayer · #3 08-01-2011, 05:46 PM

You're almost 20 & never had a drink, ????

I didn't think this was possible.

Ziltoid · #4 08-01-2011, 05:48 PM

I drank my first half-beer with my dad while watching a hockey game at 13 or 14. But I'm Canadian so that might be for something.

ugly_bassplayer · #5 08-01-2011, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ziltoid

I drank my first half-beer with my dad while watching a hockey game at 13 or 14. But I'm Canadian so that might be for something.

I agree, I live in Quebec, had my first drink way , way younger than 18.
I think it depends on where you are from.

FL Knifemaker · #6 08-01-2011, 05:49 PM

I have a 17 and 19 year old so for me it's a required Rx.

onosson · #7 08-01-2011, 05:50 PM

18 is the age limit here, and most kids have certainly had some well before that (14 or 15 would be my guess, at least when I was a teenager 20+ years ago). I was allowed to have a few sips of beer or wine at family dinners from an early age, pre-teens definitely. As far as my kids go, I let them have a sip of a beer now and then if I'm having some, but nothing more than that. I'm sure I will let them have a bit more when they are teenagers, at home, under supervision.

i_got_a_mohawk · #8 08-01-2011, 05:51 PM

Trust me, being bigger doesn't instantly make you able to handle alcohol

To be honest, I think it is probably wiser them letting you get a taste, see how you handle it, with them, than with a bunch of other young folks who have never had a drink before.

Certainly not the sensible approach I took, used to have a few binges in my younger days, drank from 13 til 18 (pubs from 16). Don't drink anymore. Doesn't really do anything for me and costs a lot of money!

kesslari · #9 08-01-2011, 05:54 PM

It's better to introduce your kids to alcohol as a normal part of life (assuming that you're not an alcoholic or problem drinker). I've been to Italy and France - both cultures that consume a fair amount of alcohol as a regular part of life - and didn't see many drunks there.
Many of the heaviest drinkers came from backgrounds where alcohol was either "bad" or "something only adults do". That made it appear very desirable to the young people, who, when they finally got a chance to drink, did so with a vengence.

FL Knifemaker · #10 08-01-2011, 06:00 PM

My feeling with my kids has been to not make it taboo. Like guns or anything else that they could get in trouble with, I believe in removing the temption. I've always told my kids, if you want to shoot the guns, let me know anytime and we'll go to the range. With booze, its the same way. Wanna drink?? Lets do it hear and not riding around with your friends. So far, it's worked.

Papa Dangerous · #11 08-01-2011, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kesslari

It's better to introduce your kids to alcohol as a normal part of life (assuming that you're not an alcoholic or problem drinker). I've been to Italy and France - both cultures that consume a fair amount of alcohol as a regular part of life - and didn't see many drunks there.
Many of the heaviest drinkers came from backgrounds where alcohol was either "bad" or "something only adults do". That made it appear very desirable to the young people, who, when they finally got a chance to drink, did so with a vengence.

I agree, I know too many people that sheltered their children way too much, and when they left for college, they became a train wreck.

I'm not saying that all children should drink, but it should be a very open family discussion on what alcohol can do. I also think it is very important that a person experiences what a buzz feels like due to beer, alcohol, wine etc before they are left to their own to find out. I remember doing around 12 shots of crown royal when I was about 16. I did em fairly quickly. I would also chug 22s of bud in one shot.

Let us just say I learned a very valuable lesson that children around 17-18ish should know. THE PROPER WAY TO VOMIT!

I kid you not... that was the best thing I learned and tell people who just start to drink.

Key point... never ever make contact with the crowd and do not go into fetal position. Also, its not cool to try and not throw up. Alcohol is a poison that some times needs to be released from your body.

So stand up, and keep your stomach straight as to not harbor any booze. Let it all flow out, and you will KNOW when it is out of you. You will feel like a new man or woman!

onosson · #12 08-01-2011, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa Dangerous

Let it all flow out, and you will KNOW when it is out of you. You will feel like a new man or woman!

When that last drop leaves ... yep, like night and day!

**pacojas** · #13 08-01-2011, 06:12 PM

at my house, the very mentioning of alcohol is forbidden...

... unless you've got some to share with me!

hollaaaa!!!

A-Step-Towards · #14 08-01-2011, 06:20 PM

I am legal as of a few months ago but most of my drinking was 18 , it was pretty gnarly. If i said how often you wouldnt take my liver in trade , haha.

But I dunno i feel most people who drink before 21 , like i did. Take it a little far and when there legal there burnt out on it. I sure am , i hate drinking now.

pedroims · #15 08-01-2011, 06:44 PM

Most women hate alcohol , today your mom, tomorrow your wife then your daugther...

**jmattbassplaya** · #16 08-01-2011, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedroims

Most women hate alcohol , today your mom, tomorrow your wife then your daugther...

Never been to a college party before, eh?

pedroims · #17 08-01-2011, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Never been to a college party before, eh?

Yes , but important women in your life hate to see you drinking. Believe me , the girls u used to drink with at college today probably make a drama when their husbands get drunk

pedroims · #18 08-01-2011, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Never been to a college party before, eh?

Yes I did, but important girls in your life hate when u drink, believe me, girls u used to drink with at college now make a drama when the husband gets drunk

Jazz Ad · #19 08-01-2011, 07:05 PM

I don't consider alcohol to be a big deal in family situations.
My son is 11 and he gets a glass of Champagne at family reunions, or a drop of brandy on the mid-lunch sorbet.

Now, recreational alcohol with teenage friends is a whole other story. Especially when other elements like binge drinking, brand new driver licenses and big parties become involved.

Somehow, I feel that a sane approach to alcohol in a safe environment such as family lifts up a lot of the mistery and danger surrounding alcohol. IMHO you're less likely to have dumb alcoholic behaviors if you already know the products, their taste and effects.

bassplayer1494 · #20 08-01-2011, 07:11 PM

im 17. i had a bad experience with alcohol last year and it caused a lot of beef between my dad and my aunt and i haven't had any desire to since then.