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Do your under age kids drink w/you at home?

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Being that I don't have kids, I still feel I would let them have a few drinks with me if it was all in good fun. Drinking is a problem when it becomes an escape (i think this can appear in many forms). Also, since I'm from Argentina, it was natural for my cousins and myself included to drink with family from the early age of about 14. It's all cultural and what drinking means to your family.
 
I must say absolutely not. The law states the drinking age is 21, so I will not authorize under age drinking.

I understand the argument behind revealing the mystery behind alcohol to kids, and after living in europe for quite a while I see both sides of the coin. However, the law is the, and as one who is tasked with enforcing laws it would show a lack of integrity to allow my children to break laws. If anything they are held to a higher standard.

what about catholic kids taking communion?
 
We were all kids once, I am assuming;)

I respect any parents desire to keep their kids from using the previously mentioned, but it seems the reality of this day is kids will get the stuff no matter what.

I was allowed sips of beer when young and do the same with my kids. I consistantly tell my kids that moderation and resposibility is up to them. If they drink away from home I cannot nor will not back them up and they need to choose their friends wisely.

What else can you do?
 
I must say absolutely not. The law states the drinking age is 21, so I will not authorize under age drinking.

Not so. In most states 21 is the age to purchase alcoholic beverages. Many states, you can buy your kid a drink at a restaurant without a problem. And in virtually all states, your children can drink in your home when you are there. Doesn't mean their friends can, though, even if their parents are there. I have an OLCC (Oregon Liquor Control Commission) server's license and the laws here are about as convoluted as anywhere, but your kids can drink under your supervision.
 
In Michigan anyone under the age of 21 with a blood alcohol of 0.02 is in violation of state law (misdemeanor) and the person who provided it is a felon. 1 Exception sacramental wine.
Enforcement is another issue all together...
 
yep..keep them away from the liquor..the stuff is evil...besides, nowadays they'd rather dig in the medicine cabinet and take the oxycontin if they are really wanting to get wasted.
either that or sniff some gasoline or hairspray in a bag.
We can shelter our kids until they leave the house, at which time they will probably go crazy and get in more trouble than if we teach them responsibility at home, even if it means letting them have a sip of your beer if they want it, then explaining that it's not to be abused.
too much government involvment in my life now...and with this SOPA and PIPA stuff...:mad:
 
my house....my rules (as long as SWMBO is okay with it). Either way, Uncle Sam isn't welcome without a warrant. When/if i have kids, that's for me to decide what happens in my house and the law will have no impact on that one way or another.
 
I have to agree with Squirrley. It is a "teaching moment".. does this include teaching your kid to disrespect the law? I think the law is a bit too tight.. but that is no excuse for me to teach my kids to disobey it.. Disagree, yes.. Vote for a change. I guess it was the phrase "teaching moment" that I took issue with rather than the rest of what you said... :)

the problem is, it is NOT ILLEGAL to give your kids alcohol in your own home. so, you are teaching them to follow the law.
 
Lancer033 said:
my house....my rules (as long as SWMBO is okay with it). Either way, Uncle Sam isn't welcome without a warrant. When/if i have kids, that's for me to decide what happens in my house and the law will have no impact on that one way or another.

That's what me, my wife, my other wife, and our three kids think, too!
 
I was allowed to drink as a kid (special occasions / sips of beer or wine / etc), and got the "call us if you are drunk at a party and we'll pick you up" speech. I feel that a direct result of these policies is the fact that I was never tempted to get in a situation where I would have to drive drunk, or otherwise drink irresponsibly.

I never took them up on the offer for a ride, it just encouraged me to be responsible for my own actions.

I plan to do the exact same things for my kids.
 
I more for teaching my kids what is prudent. Hopefully they don't grow up to be 'that guy,' the one driving the speed limit in the fast lane. Driving 10-20 over out in BFE is one thing but through someone's neighborhood is quit another.
 
You are absolutely correct.. it is NOT illegal in your home.. unless the kid get's drunk and then you have a potential for child abuse. However, my point was regarding "teaching moment". I don't care of it is alcohol or what it is. If it is against the law.. it's against the law. It's like teaching your child, by example, to cheat or lie (fill in the blank) "in certain circumstances" (as defined by who?). I believe cheating, stealing, lying is is wrong.. that's me.. I don't want my kids to learn something from me, carry it to another level.. and have that hanging over my head.. ever.

Sorry, but I know I'm getting off topic. Again, I'm responding to "teaching moment"

Heh, I remember my dad at one time drinking with uncles. I asked him if I could have a taste of his beer. He said "let me see your teeth. I showed him and he said they were dirty go brush them and we'll see" I did, came back.. hmmm they were still too dirty. And again.. I gave up. I would rather have had him simply say.. sorry but no. But, I got the idea. He didn't overindulge nor did my mom.. except once that I remember. Maybe he was giving me a "teaching moment" :D

do you really need the government to tell you that it's a bad idea to let a 12 yr old get drunk. Dumb is dumb, the legality of it doesn't matter.

I really hate the "follow the law because it's the law BS." What happened to thinking for ourselves. If you recall it was illegal for us to be Americans in the first place so you might as well start saying "God Save the Queen"

:mug:
 
I got sips, nips, and tastes of this and that while I was a kid. So alcohol has never been a big deal. Never bothered to ask if it was a plan to demystify it or what.

Our eldest has had a taste here and there, the following face of utter revulsion is quite funny. We don't treat it as a big deal. And we point out the importance of moderation and responsibility.

It's amazing what openness and communication can do, or prevent.
 
I want my kids to start drinking at home at about 12. That way they can have a good 4 years of experience before they hit the road. lol
 
I think the younger, the better. I was raised around beer/wine/whiskey and I'd get sips of beer as young as I can remember. I also remember my first whiskey cocktail around 12 after killing my first deer. I never pursued alcohol, never stole from the cabinets or anything like that, also never really drank in high school due to sports and whatnot. I think I was about 15-16 when my mom and dad started offering me whole beers and wine whenever we had nice dinners or grilled in the backyard - but I'd have one and just be not interested in it.

I think as long as your kid doesn't have a crazy genetic predisposition to alcoholism and you don't see them turning into an alcohol-seeker - why not?
 
i had three rules growing up, im only 26 now,

1. dont get arrested
2. dont get a girl pregnant
3. never do any drugs harder than pot.

i turned out alright. did my fair share of drinking. early on. actually reduced my desire to party hard later, college etc.... i say let them drink
 
Heck, my pet peeve is the last two people who sneak thru the intersection well after the light is red.
HbgBill, not to change the direction of the post... Nassau county NY generated $27.8 million in fines and administrative fees in 2011 from red light cameras. It has helped reduce the number of people trying to squeeze through the intersection and increased the amount of people changing their minds and slamming on the brakes at the last minute. I was pretty surprised at just how much money they were generating. Plus, if I'm not mistaken, the fine is $50.00, instead of the regular $230.00 ($150.00 fine and $80.00 state "surcharge") if an officer pulls you over. Pete
 
This never really came up when I was growing up. I guess when actually lived with family members (I moved out when I was 16), the only occasional drinking I did was stupid teen GET HAMMERED ON VODKA nonsense.

I know one of my friends, when he was younger his parents were fine with him drinking, as long as he was home. Too bad he has never had interest in drinking.

As far as if I would allow it, I'm not sure. I'm a long ways off from being in this situation, but I imagine if my homebrew hobby keeps up, I would be okay with the "drinking while home" etc kind of mindset, but I imagine my kid would have to be at least 18. :p
 
I brew with my 10 yo on occasion. He prefers the taste of the wort over the finnished product, which is fine with me. When he sees me pull out the hydro for the OG he always shows up somewhere.

I think teaching/showing responsibility is what's critical. I don't have friends over who brag about "remember that time we got hammered ... huhuhu....."
 
This thread has me wondering whether under-age brewing with parental consent would be illegal in the states that allow under-21 drinking with that same consent.


I kind of wondered this the other day when I realized that my LHBS didn't card me when buying ingredients. I don't know if they just don't or if they don't have too...
 
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