I serve my kids non alcoholic wine sometimes with meals. A good wine can make a meal, but it doesnt need to have alcohol in it to be good. They understand that already. The older girl I would probably allow an occasional alcoholic beverage if she asked, because I believe she is a responsible girl. She hasnt asked, which proves that in my view
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I have friends that serve their kids alcoholic wine, to 'teach them responsible drinking'. I dont believe it does so, it simply introduces them to the stuff sooner. All I hear their kids say is 'I cant wait until I am 18 so I can buy my own'.
I believe it has a lot to do with your socio-economic circumstances and your peers whether you choose to drink or not. My kids arent around alcohol very much, and their peers dont appear to be either. They know of a few kids that drink, but they have low opinions of those..
They also have very low opinions of smokers, they are most forthright in disliking the smell of me, it hurts sometimes but of course I deserve it. I am, with my habit, affecting them, and thats not fair. Of course I would never dream of smoking in a room they frequent, and certainly not with them there. I only smoke in one of my cars, my little runaround Kia, but they never get in that.. it stinks of smoke lol
Thats not to say getting smashed in the comfort of your own home watching footy with your mates is a bad thing either (real mates dont fight even when pissed). Everyone needs something dont they? When your kids dont ever get to see you sober, and you are always too busy with your mates as was the case with my Dad, it becomes a major problem. When you drive home drunk (not paralytic, just maybe not quite tipping the limit even) with your kids or better half in the car, and many do regardless of what they may say, its a very big problem.
Everything in balance.
