Just because some kids do it doesn't mean everyone does it. I really don't know nor never heard that about Spain or France but if that's their culture so be it. But in he UK and the US it is not allowed. Teaching a kid how to enjoy wine is like saying teaching a baby how to run. It doesn't make sense. Kids drinking is the worst idea because they are not adults and they are childish, so drinking only makes it worse. The effect of alcohol itself is bad on adult imagine on children. Sorry but that just doesn't cut it for me.

I'm having a hard time to believe this.

all i can say about that is WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. first of all, the same elliott said - if you tend to not let your son to do some things, he will have curiosity for it and will always be attracted to it. for example, if a young teen who always got a "no" from his parents in all matters surrounding alcohol, when he is hanging out with his friends and they are drinking, he will probably drink, and the results will be much worse than it would be if he was educated before by his parents. a similar example would be in charlie and the chocolate factory - willy wonka's dad never let him eat chocolate. one day he did and he became addicted to it, because it's something that he always had prohibited and wanted to know about.

second, educating your children about drinking alcohol doesn't mean you will let them drink all the time or something like that. for example, my parents let me drink when i'm out, but they wouldn't like it if i drank to much. so i don't. i have a lot of respect to my parents and follow they rules (almost) always. of course that there are different cases, and different people that have less control on themselves, but i think than an average person would do the same. i know my parents won't let me drink 'til i fall, so i don't. i'm not saying i haven't throw up or being drunk, but i try to not break the limit a lot.

and, finally - how can you say "be a parent, not a friend"? that's the worst thing i've ever heard concerning this stuff. if you have a distant relation with your parents, you will tend to lose respect for them and do the things they won't let you doing. i have a great relationship with my parents, i tell my mom everything i do and everything that happens to me. she knows that i smoke, drink and smoke with and she teaches me about that (she never smoke weed but knows cases and that). if you can't talk with your parents like a friend, you'll feel that you don't have the contention you need in your house, so you will try to find it in other places - for example, hanging out with people that smoke weed and you see they have a good time and doesn't feel bad at all, so you start doing it. there's a lot of errors in what you said. think about it.

Sorry but I just don't believe that.

Why do you continually do this Steph? I'm not being aggressive so please don't get offended by this question. But why do you keep on telling people that you think they are lying on this board? Time and time again you do it. The question is, why would they lie about any of the claims that you've decided are lies? What do they gain from lying about what school they go to on an internet forum? I just can't quite understand it, it does nothing but set up lines of hositlity: nobody likes being called a liar. Especially when they aren't lying.

You must be a parent not a friend. First of all a friend isn't family. By being a friend your kid will have no serious respect for you. You must talk to your parents like they are your parents not your friends. Being a Parent isn't just about setting rules its about being there when your child needs you the most. Friends will never do as much as your parents will do for you because they have their own responsibilities and rules to follow. Y

I'm not. I'm asking a question.

You must be a parent not a friend. First of all a friend isn't family. By being a friend your kid will have no serious respect for you. You must talk to your parents like they are your parents not your friends. Being a Parent isn't just about setting rules its about being there when your child needs you the most. Friends will never do as much as your parents will do for you because they have their own responsibilities and rules to follow. Y

but when i say "friend", i mean metaphorically speaking. of course you won't be hanging out with your dad and go and smoke some weed with him. i mean you of course have to be respectful to them, but also have a good relationship so you won't need to find what your parents can't give you emotionally and psychologically in other places, like i said before. i have respect for my parents, but i can't talk to them like they were my friends, with the add that they lived a lot more than me and know much about a lot of things that i don't. so sometimes is better ask for my parents' word that a friend's word.