Member - Al & Mrs Al (Vic) replied:

Hiya Jen

I guess as parents we all have dift methods of what's right and wrong for our kids. Steve Irwin's decision was at best unwise, that doesn't make him a bad parent and I don't think any of us should sit in judgement...as far as having a child drink beer at such a young age...I think that's probably silly, certainly from that young age..but again..that's their decision...and they'll have to deal with any probs should they arrise. I know that I hope like hell that I"m at least providing some sort of good grounding for my two...and I never fully appreciated how tough a job it was until I became a parent...last year at my parents 40th wedding aniv party I made a speech and praised them both on the way they raised my brother and I in a home full of the 3 L's - Love, Laughter and Learning..if I can do that for my kids then I think they'll be OK...as far as drinking beer goes....they both just look at a can and say "that's daddy's". I hope to be able to share great times with my kids..and that's what Alan and I are striving for.

now...how the hell do I convince a 2 yr old boy that using a potty is HEAPS better than nappies...so far today, I"ve had 3 changes of jocks, socks and tracky dacks..and 1 pair of full gumboots..!!...ahahahhaha....

Lyn [Mrs. Al]Life - Live it , Love it !

jemima puddle duck replied:

gday jen.
i didnt put geoffs name here because i think it was you who put the post up.
first of all how many people do you know with a drinking problem.
(1)were they given booze at a young age.
(2)do you know any junkies.
(3)were they given drugs at a young age.
(4)did they take up drugs/booze later in life.even if they never grew up around it.
(5)alcoholism is a problem not proved to be from given a drink at 4 months old.
(6)who are you to judge.
(7)what has this forum got to do with your post.
if you cant think of something more important to post about i think you should get a life.
i might be a little harsh but i know people with/or had drinking problems with out drinking any booze at a young age.(me)
i have lost 4 great friends from drugs at a later age and never did them young.you reckon your cute
richard(eskimo)
but im a lot cuter

Members - Andrew & Jen replied:

Hi Geoff and Jen
Like you pic with your swimming Maverick - where is it swimming??
I was interested to hear the reaction to poor Steve Irwin and felt that it was a bit of an over reaction. Fairdinkum, the risk is greater to a child when the parents drink and smoke through the pregnancy that when he took it nearer a crocodile. Yet you hear nobody complaining loudly about people who do that.

I read in the papers on the weekend that there was evidence that CT scans on children at a young age might cause some brain damage to the child from the radiation. The evidence is indirect and 'soft' but the developing brain is a very sensitive organ. During pregnancy there is no safe level of alcohol intake because it seems there is a linear relationship between intake and damage from alcohol to the unborn baby. Even a small amount of alcohol seems likely to do some damage eg wine glass of wine a day. I reckon that it is likely that developing brains in children would be very susceptible to alcohol damage too and that really they probably should not have any until their teens.

I know that it is a personal issue for parents, but there is unlikely to be any benefit from giving alcohol to children. I reckon that the most important thing is for parents to model responsible use and intake of alcohol for their children. Like you, I have seen lots of people with their lives destroyed by taking too much.

There are health benefits from alcohol but they seem to come at only 1 standard drink per day with some alcohol free days. Many people are actually harming their health.

AndrewMy Toy - 2001 Landcruiser 100S Turbo Diesel
"We do not stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing"

Member - Bernie. (Vic) replied:

Hi Geoff & Jen
Don't know about the Steve Erwin thing or about the nappies,
re alcohol It all comes back to what you do at home all kids are mimics
: ie get dad to show the young fella how to stand and pee etc
if you deny them things they will find away around it.

My experience - had a sip as a kid (now 58) had a glass of beer every night at home with Dad & Mum (after starting work at 16) and I still have a beer (not in excess)
Son (now 30) as a toddler when home used to sip out of any ones glass (no idea how much he had), so we gave him 1 tiny sherry glass at tea time in his high chair as we had ours at the table( our Dr said no harm & maybe increase his appetite) he never ever looked for any more. At about 9 yrs old would not touch it any more, started to drink beer (only) again at 17 started driving at 18 & did the (driver does not drink thing with his mates) and still does today & only drinks
alcohol ocassionaly.
Daughter (28) would not drink it if offered untill 9yrs and she asked if she could have one which she did on occasions for a few years, at 20yrs she hardly ever had it any more and still dos'nt.
I might add they both went through Uni got there degree's & did post grad diplomas
( I'm pleased to say neither tried the Drug scene).

My sister had 6 kids 2boys &4girls "never never" allowed any alcohol ( yet they would drink themselves)
result - 1 P**s pot & 3 pregenecies.

Just my 2 cents worth hope it all makes sense

Cheers

Prado TD Auto