by Sande Waybill

Created on: April 13, 2007   Last Updated: April 25, 2007

There will always be some parents who say yes and others who say no, in response to the question of whether or not to let children sip your beer, wine, or other alcoholic drink. I remember clearly that from age eight or nine, I would be presented with a little Sherry to sip each Christmas as a treat, after most of it had already gone into the Christmas cooking. I was also allowed a blob of rum butter on my pudding at Christmas. I therefore grew up associating alcohol with Christmas. I was never allowed to try my Father's whiskey however, and this led me to follow my curiosity into a little illegal taste-testing session at sixteen.

I do not think it wise to allow a single-digit aged child to regularly take a big swig from Daddy's beer can or gulp down a half glass of wine with every dinner, however allowing a taste-test at a special occasion can be beneficial in the long run. Children who show an interest in trying alcohol due to regular parental consumption can be taught to recognize its connection to special occasions in order to fulfill their curiosity whilst not encouraging a regular intake. Children who are not allowed to taste-test may become restless and defiant, leading to out-of-sight alcohol consumption during their early teens. At such a young age, too much alcohol can be damaging, therefore limiting it to a sip or two at Christmas or Easter can safely bridge the gap between yes' and no'.

From around twelve through until legal drinking age, those couple of sips can be extended to a half glass of wine or half can of beer once or twice a year, or a watered down quarter glass of red wine with dinner once a week for a special treat if your family regularly drinks wine with their evening meal. This should prevent a child's curiosity leading them into hidden drinking sessions, by calming their need to try' alcohol without encouraging excessive consumption.

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