Lady Penelope - i don't know that there is a certain "age" where it becomes ok - for me, i started having one or two drinks every few months with my parents when i was 13 - but i was, and always have been, very "mature" for my age. i also don't have an addictive personality. My DH, on the other hand, does have something of an addictive personality, so with our children, it will very much come down to the personality of the individual child. i won't say "ok, it's your X birthday, you're allowed to drink now" - i know children need to be treated equally - but that equality has to be about more than a number

i will admit that i'm sitting on the fence a lot with regards to this issue. personally, i've been involved in playing "security" at an underage party for a friends son - and we were extremely strict on who got in - and they only got to drink what they bought. we taxi'd each of them home so that they couldn't leave that party and go and get drunk elsewhere - no one was allowed to drink to excess. but i know not all parties go like this (look at the now infamous Cory!) - so i am well aware of how out of control these can get.

this thread has sparked some obvious debate - and i think debate is healthy - i've spoken to another member at length about this - and though we continue to have differing opinions, i think i've come to a new level of understanding about youngsters and what can happen in those with addictive personalities. i haven't changed my stance - i will be a fence sitter until i have teens myself and have to make that call! but i HAVE looked at it from another POV...

Lulu - you are the only person that can make a call on what YOUR child does - and i respect whatever that decision is - it's not up to anyone else to parent your child - and i guess that's a big part of this issue - where does it come into play that someong else has the right to be in charge of your child - if you DO let your child drink, how will they make the decision that your child has had enough - that's something that you need to decide. good luck in whatever you decide hun