Kids and coffee

[dizzycooks]

When would you give your child coffee? Like their own cup? Mine have tasted mine and like it (weirdos!). I read an article that 2/3 of toddlers drink coffee and that it's more common among Hispanic children, which I believe based on kids I've taught. I guess I always figured hs, but now I'm thinking I may be willing to let did have her own milked down cup sooner than later.

[momin2013]

Hmm. My first response was probably something like high school, no idea why, my brain just randomly thought that was a good place to draw the line.

I guy I dated (from Europe) said that as kids, they often had bread soaked in weak, milky coffee for breakfast, so yeah, some cultures are obviously more lax about it than others.

[CrazyLucky]

I don't know. My kids are just on milk, water, and some juice now. I let them taste some ginger ale and they don't like it because it tickles their tongues. They are so wound up all the time that I'm thinking they'll be ready for caffeinated beverages when they're studying all night at college, and not before.

[Kcthepouchh8r]

I know quite a few in the special needs community that do coffee as an alternative to meds. I've actually seen a noticeable change in my friends ds.

I was never introduced to coffee by my family. I got into it after college. I assume I will be the same way with my kids.

[cna]

I started drinking coffee in high school and I wouldn't mind if my kids did the same. I just don't see the point of letting then start any sooner.

[lala]

They love stealing sips of my coffee, especially the almost 4 year old. Very occasionally I'll let her have coffee milk as a treat. So maybe a few tablespoons of coffee and then the rest milk, no sugar. I can't imagine that's enough caffeine to really do much.

I don't know when I'd let them drink it normally,.

[auroraloo]

I dunno. It is more common in other countries, but that doesn't my kids need it? I mean, it is a drug, caffeine. French children grow up on cafe au lait.

My kids love ice cream, doesn't mean i'm going to give it to them daily just because they like it?

I'm fluctuating, because I don't know that there is a "right" answer.

[Deleted]

Hmm not sure. But this reminded me of a first bday party we went to where the bday cake was white cake soaked in coffee (tasted like tiramisu) and I was kind of horrified. The mom is Brazilian and she said it is totally normal where she's from to give toddlers coffee. Yeah my ds doesn't need caffeine, thanks, societal norms aside. The kid is wound up on his own lol.

[quesyrah]

Jul 14, 2015 12:09:30 GMT -5 auroraloo said:

I dunno. It is more common in other countries, but that doesn't my kids need it? I mean, it is a drug, caffeine. French children grow up on cafe au lait.

My kids love ice cream, doesn't mean i'm going to give it to them daily just because they like it?

I'm fluctuating, because I don't know that there is a "right" answer.

I'm here.

My former co-workers (all from Mexico) grew up on cafe con leche and let their kids drink it too. It sounds more milk than coffee. So I know coffee for kids is very cultural. It's not cultural for me, so I probably wouldn't let them have it regularly until high school

[gwapes]

Maybe when the thought of him having more energy doesn't scare the shit out of me.

[ashb62]

DD(7) has had sips here and there. If she wanted her own, I'd probably make her decaf. I started drinking it occasionally in HS, but didn't start drinking it regularly until my mid-twenties. I already let her order soda or sweet tea when we go out and I guess coffee isn't really all that different, but for some reason it feels different to me.

[Deleted]

Jul 14, 2015 11:51:17 GMT -5 dizzycooks said:

When would you give your child coffee? Like their own cup? Mine have tasted mine and like it (weirdos!). I read an article that 2/3 of toddlers drink coffee and that it's more common among Hispanic children, which I believe based on kids I've taught. I guess I always figured hs, but now I'm thinking I may be willing to let did have her own milked down cup sooner than later.

Guess we read the same article in this month's Parents. Why do kids need coffee again? Mone's hyper enough without caffeine. Yes, I'm judging the giving of a toddler coffee.

[dizzycooks]

Jul 14, 2015 13:17:46 GMT -5 @mrsmuq said:

Jul 14, 2015 11:51:17 GMT -5 dizzycooks said:

When would you give your child coffee? Like their own cup? Mine have tasted mine and like it (weirdos!). I read an article that 2/3 of toddlers drink coffee and that it's more common among Hispanic children, which I believe based on kids I've taught. I guess I always figured hs, but now I'm thinking I may be willing to let did have her own milked down cup sooner than later.

Guess we read the same article in this month's Parents. Why do kids need coffee again? Mone's hyper enough without caffeine. Yes, I'm judging the giving of a toddler coffee.

That was my first thought too, as well as dhs reaction, but then I started thinking more and I guess I'm not going to just give it to them, right now they get warm milk with a few chocolate chips on the weekends, but if she really wanted the remnants of my espresso shot? I guess I'm not opposed to adding a little as flavor in the years to come. I surprise myself sometimes oh and yeah, the energy thing... Yeah, they don't really need it!

[nicolewi]

I bet a little coffee in a cup of warm milk isn't more caffeine than in cocoa. I wouldn't judge on this at all. Since I don't make coffee regularly at home, it's not an issue here.

[melew]

I'm in the have a hard enough time keeping my 2 year old from bouncing off the walls as it is camp. I think I started drinking it regularly in high school.

[goillini823]

DS has tried Dh and my moms coffee before and he LOVES it. I will let him have a glass of milk with a few drops of coffee every so often. It's literally heaven to him.

I'm Mexican, and I never liked coffee and still don't, but yes, tons of kids grow up on cafe con leche.
I'll probably let DS have a full cup when he is in high school or something. I do not need him on a caffeine rush.