Tea???

My dd swiped my cuppa the other day and downed some tea. Is tea bad for kids? A gf of mine said she drank unsweetened tea from 18 months. The caffeine wouldn't be very good for them I imagine. I just wondered if anyone deliberately gave their kids tea?

Steph would always swipe my teas (and coffee!). My brother and I grew up drinking tea, not sure from what age, but I have a photo of me drinking it when I was about four.

I don't think the caffiene is very good, and I'm not sure what else there is. My Mum also said something to me about 'caffiene free', and the way that it is processed, it could be 'worse' for you than drinking the caffiene.

I used to have a milky tea when ever we had people over when I was little...............was back in the 70's! Look at me today....I am fine.......although I guess some people would debate that! :lol:

A one off won't do any harm. Maybe make a warm milk for her in a mug when you have your tea so she feels all grown up too!!!

xxxx

There is caffeine in it, and it can stain their teeth. So it's not awesome. But if it's occasional, as a special thing, then I guess it's no biggie.

On the caffeine free thing - that's fairly outdated. Once upon a time everything was decaffeinated chemically, whereas these days it's mostly done with water. Double check if you want to be sure.

Tea apparently isn't great as it can inhibit iron absorption. However if it is an occasional thing then it's just klike most other foods/drinks that aren't great for you - it should be a sometimes food.

DD1 has asked for tea with us since she was about 18m so we have let her have it on weekends. We basically fill her cup with milk and add a small amount of tea to it and she is happy with that. I know it isn't great for her but I think once a week in lots of milk is fine.

Yep I deliberately give my daughter tea.
It's not all the time and she's had it since she could hold a cup.
IMO on the scale of 'bad' things it's pretty low. So if the occasional cup keeps her happy, especially when she's sick and asks for it, then I'm all for it. She only has about 50mls and the rest cold water.

i give Laa chammomile - it gets made the same way so she thinks it's cool :)

Thanks for the replies! I hope no one thought I was judging just genuinely curious :) I agree that as a somtimes thing it's ok...a lot better than a lot of other drinks.

:redface: My daughter asks for tea every morning.... sometimes she even drinks it :rofl:
I give her a tiny cup with mostly milk.... pic here

Charlotte looooves tea! lol

Give it to her often and she likes all sorts of different ones too :rofl: So cute when she comes and asks for a "cuppa".

Just avoid giving it after 4pm or so depending on their bed time as some do have caffeine.

My mum gave me black coffees from as young as I can remember.
I'm 152cm tall (yes a total shorty), petite, very smart (according to academic scores) and I never had any behaviour issues when I was a child. I did however, have a VERY short attention span (not ADD though).
My brother had tea from the same age, I think, and he's a Doctor..

pixie that is such a gorgeous pic!! :)

My MIL started giving DS1 tea when he was only little. He asked for it once so she made it for him. I refused to make him one at home, because I just didn't think he needed it kwim? But MIL will make him one over at her place which isn't often anyway. Its her special thing that she does for him.

hmm, not sure ezymay.
I've never really thought much into it.
But with that said, DD often dips a scotch finger in my cuppa, and Ive never thought twice! lol!

Now if she has a milo or flavoured milk, she comments, "kailis coffee mum! Kailis coffee" hehe, she thinks she's so cool

:)

thepixie - oh my lordie!! what a beautiful little girl you have there! Just love that photo, gorgeous! :p

DS thinks he does - Mum gives him milk with a bit of hot water in an espresso cup and calls it tea (or a cuppa depending on the day)

Once a week DS1 and I take all his teddies outside and have a teddy bear picnic with his little picnic set (LOL - its too cute). Its actually peppermint tea but DS calls it tea and is aquiring a taste for something healthy whilst having fun! ;)