My oldest son is 12 and he only drinks soda on special occasions (parties and occasionally dining out in restaurants... I don't stock it in my house and he opts for milk, bottled water or an Izze at school) and both of my kids drink tea on occasion, but not frequently. My husband has a serious coffee habit, NEEDING several cups a day or he gets bad headaches. When we're out and we stop for coffee for my husband, I usually get a cup of hot tea and the kids get their choice of hot cocoa or hot apple cider. Lately my 12 year old son has been asking for lattes and coffee drinks. I tell him that it's a bad habit to start and he points out other kids his age walking around with coffee drinks and says that he feels dumb walking around with some hot chocolate. Am I being too strict? My mother bought him a sweet coffee drink the other day and it irritated me, but I didn't say anything.

When I was around that age, I started drinking cappuchino on occasion. My parents wouldn't make extra coffee for me at home in the morning or anything, but they never cared if I drank a cup now and then. I don't think you should make a big deal of it. If he isn't drinking it every day before school and again at night, it doesn't sound like you need to worry.

just say.... "no, hunny, cofee is a special occasion drink. you can have it on holidays/parties of choice". "that way, u will like it more, and enjoy it more. or, instead of talking to him, tell everyone in your family to not give your kids coffee, or drink it around them! if you are anything like my family.... this will work! best of luck, and just find something to keep you..... him busy! good luck!

when you are not referring to them as kids, teens, or children, you should have told that mother she is off her rocker how rude, young adults can make that decision until then no coffeesome one said more tea less coffee TEA HAS MORE CAFFEINE THEN COFFEE BOTH ARE VERY BAD

personally, i'd save the coffee for the college years.

18

The occasional coffee at 12 is a nonproblem. Just explain to him that coffee has considerably more caffeine so he can have less coffee than tea. I started drinking tea at 11 or so, but switched to coffee when I was 18 because decent tea was not to be had in MN.

I'm so annoyed when kids use the excuse "my other friends do it." I don't think kids should be drinking coffee at all. It IS a terrible habit to start. I'm not sure I have a definitive reason for my opinion - I guess I've just always considered coffee to be something for adults. You should ask your son's doctor if there are any side effects or negative effects for your son to drink coffee. If it's just the caffeine, then maybe de-caf would be a good compromise. I just seriously can't imagine seeing a 12 yr. old drinking coffee. Stick to your guns though. You're the parent. You can't monitor everything your kids do, but at 12 you still have a lot of control. Be sure to tell your mother you don't want her getting him coffee anymore.

Every parent is different and it's all about opinions and how they were brought up. I've been drinking coffee since I was 7 or 8 and my mom was very strict as well as my grandma. My grandma being the main one I'm afraid of, lol. They did allow me to drink coffee probably because they saw it was okay since they so as well. It is a very bad habit but it's a good thing your son isn't hiding the fact from you that he wants these drinks. He probably already has had a couple. I would suggest educating him on the bad habits of coffee and the caffiene. Kids will eventually go to other sources to get things they desire.

I wouldn't let him. Your husband is addicted to the caffeine. Do you really want your son addicted too? Tell him sorry, but he's not other kids, he's your kid. And you love him enough to keep him from bad habits like coffee.

You should treat coffee the same way you treat soda and other drinks and make them special occasion drinks. If your child is healthy (not obesse) then I don't see any reason why he shouldn't have some coffee. Anything in moderation is fine, as long as you are around to monitor and explain to your son the difference between everyday drinks (water, juice) and special occasion drinks (soda, coffee). I think that sugar and junk food are much worse eating habits for your child to have compared to coffee.

I agree with you that its a bad habit to start. Stick to your guns. If he wins with that arguement "all my friends are doing it" its starting a bad precedence for other things. there is no nutritional value to these coffee drinks, and they're loaded with sugar and fat. Good luck!!

i think that is to young to start drinking coffee instead suggest good but not coffee drinks that may not be hot cocoa or just flat out say no coffee your too young and tell you mom the same thing it just all depends i am 13 and i occasionally will drink coffee beverages not full coffee but my mom has told me that is not want i want to be drinking in the future.so i believe he is to young

I am 13 and I drink coffee every morning. I have to have a cup or I get a migraine. I know that I probably wouldn't have started drinking it if I knew I would be this addicted. I think it is fine if he gets a latte or frappuccino or cappuccino once a week or so. Just don't let him have it more than once a week or his genes will kick in :)

I'm 15 and I live at Starbucks. I started drinking lattes at like 13. Take him to starbucks and get him a frapacino. It's like frozen coffee but not really coffee. I would just get him coffee actually

Avoid it as long as you can (to my opinion at least 16). Talk to your mother as well. If nothing works buy coffee drink with a lot of milk and just a touch of coffee, or dilute it yourself. Not more than one per day and not every day. And keep explaining that drinking coffee (like cigarettes!) is not the sign of being an adult but a habit that usually makes more troubles than good things. But also remember: forbidden fruit is the sweetest...

The National Institute of Health says “a child’s caffeine consumption should be closely monitored. Although caffeine is safe to consume in moderation, it may negatively affect a child’s nutrition. Caffeinated beverages may be replacing nutrient-dense foods such as milk. A child may also eat less because caffeine acts as an appetite suppressant. Caffeine can be completely restricted in a child’s diet since there is no nutritional requirement for it. This may be necessary for a hyperactive child as caffeine is a stimulant.”Caffeine can also aggravate heart problems or nervous disorders, and children and parents might not even be aware of the risk. Since caffeine is a stimulant, it can also produce symptoms like jitters, irritability and hyperactivity. Caffeine is also an addictive substance, and can cause restlessness in those who skip the daily coffee dose. In addition, there may be other short-term side effects, such as heartburn, headaches, stomach problems and a elevated blood pressure. Below is an interesting link

If you are bothered by it, don't allow it. What about de-caf?

Don't start now because, it's the worst thing possible for kids it stunts there growth and gives them lots of acne. Look up some info about coffee and tell your son the bad things coffee has to offer and he will probably not want to think about drinking coffee for acouple more years.

I started drinking coffee when I was 7 yrs old with my grandfather. If he is 12, he needs to start making a few decision's on his own. Just be glad that he's interested in coffee and not drugs. I recommend that he limit his intake to no more than two cups per day though. In all reality, its not much different than the hot coco he drinking now, it also has stimulants in it; the same goes for many tea's.It's legal and works well in social settings with his peers.I guess I don't see a major problem here.

Wow what an interesting tizzy you have got here. I allow my teen to drink coffee.....she is on meds and can't seem to pull herself out of bed without the smell of coffee in the am. She has a cup (1) and heads for the shower. It has saved many mornings of lots of drama, turning on lights, screaming, cold water towels....ect. It is nice to wake up and have a peaceful cup of java with her. Also, coffee has tons of anti oxidents in it...........just make sure you teach your son to practice moderation.Honestly, I have to agree with the answerer that stated "hey if this is all you have to worry about..........things could be a lot worse"

I started drinking it at 12 but only sometimes.