When parents have a conversation with teens and tweens about underage drinking, they typically encourage their kids to abstain from alcohol — or at the least, make smart decisions at a party. What many moms and dads might not consider is being offered a nonalcoholic version of an adult beverage while at a friend’s house by their friend’s mother.
Although the drink isn’t technically alcohol, one mom online feels uneasy after learning her 13-year-old daughter was recently given alcohol-free prosecco at a birthday party.
Interestingly, the internet is divided on the topic. Does the mom have a right to be mad? What would you do?
More from CafeMom: Expert Warns About Drinking in Front of Kids, But Parents Aren't Convinced
The mom posted online about her daughter drinking nonalcoholic prosecco.
Recently, a mom vented about her experience on the UK parenting forum Mumsnet. She explained that her 13-year-old daughter went to a sleepover birthday party with 12 other girls, and the birthday girl's mother was supervising. When she picked up her daughter the following morning, her daughter mentioned her friend's mom served alcohol-free prosecco.
"Dd said she had tried it but was horrible so discreetly left it on the table," OP explained.
Something 'just doesn't sit right' about the situation, the mother noted.
As she reflected on the incident, the original poster confessed, "It's been playing on my mind and just doesn't sit right with me giving children that young alcohol free Prosecco."
"I'm the daughter of an alcoholic so sometimes things can be a little triggering for me so not sure if I'm being over the top," she continued. "Is it like like trying makeup out? Trying to look grown up maybe? I'm just not sure."
The mom shared that she has older teens who are permitted to drink around her starting at age 16 or 17 — so she's "not anti alcohol" and she drinks herself. She concluded: "What do you think I'm I just being stupid?"
More from CafeMom: Kristen Bell Confesses To Letting Her Kids Drink Nonalcoholic Beer
Many fellow parents agreed with the mom.
"Hmm I wouldn’t love it either," one person shared in the thread. "It’s a tricky one as they’re at an age where I definitely started trying alcohol so if the option was alcohol free or the real deal I’d obviously prefer alcohol free. I think the parent shouldn’t have offered it to children without your consent. Even when you buy alcohol free in shops, you need to be over 18."
Meanwhile, another Mumsnet user declared: "Urgh. Early intro to the toxic mummy wine culture. I would be v unhappy. Youre not the weird one here!"
Others thought it wasn't a big deal.
Other parents didn't understand the fuss.
One person shared: “I personally wouldn’t have been that bothered. It’s alcohol free, it was a birthday party and the mum was probably excited to see the girls all having fun. It was non alcoholic. If it had been alcohol in it then I wouldn’t have been pleased.”
“I'm surprised how many people would be upset by this," another user wrote. "What if they made and drank mocktails?”
More from CafeMom: Ohio Woman Faces Charges After Allegedly 'Repeatedly' Giving 6-Year-Old Boy Smirnoff Ice
One person even declared it a ‘win.’
Instead of feeling uneasy or indifferent, one Mumsnet user thought it was actually a positive experience. "Isn't that a win for you though?" the person commented. "Next time your dd's offered prosecco, possibly in a less controlled area, then she'll probably say no she doesn't like it."
