Coffee and kids..MYOB!

[GoddessDigi]

Was doing the shopping at WM, and they were giving out free samples on Starbucks instant coffee.
So I asked for a half-cup size..for DS.
Yes, he is 1 (2 next month), but the child likes coffee. 1 lady had the audacity to say something about it. Something about how I'm a horrible mom and it doesn't matter if he loves it or not.
Okay,
1.) It's not like I let him drink a lot every single day or something.
2.) My grandfather used to put it in my bottle, and my sister's bottle from when we were like...3 months old. Didn't hurt us.
3.) The only thing 'bad' about coffee is the caffeine. Caffeine has no effect of myself, and doesn't seem to have any on my kids. Even if so, I would be the one staying up with them all night, not you, lady.
4.) It's not any worse than juice, in my eyes. Juice has a ton of sugar..bad for your teeth.
Last but not least...MY CHILD!!! Mind your own business, and huff yourself right away from me, thank you very much.

I adore my kids, they are my life. I would NEVER do anything to harm them. A little coffee here and there isn't going to hurt. And if he likes the taste, I will d*mn well let my kids have some now and then.
And nothing against 'overweight' people (seeing as I was for quite awhile there), but lady, with your weight, I wouldn't be counseling ANYONE on what goes into their, or their children's bodies. Hypocrisy at it's best.

The lady giving the samples and another lady who got one, actually stood up for me (one who mentioned that juice isn't exactly 'healthy', either). Kudos to them!

[OgresWife]

I really wish people would butt out of other peoples parenting. Are you allowed your own opinions? Absolutely! Should you try and berate a parent for their choice, in public no less? Absolutely NOT!!!

I was allowed coffee as a kid. Not much, a few sips from moms here and there. Never more than one cup a day as an early teen either.

You're right, your kid=your rules!

[couponmummy]

My dad loves coffee. I used to make his coffee when I was growing up at home. I used to sneak a couple of spoonfuls each time. He also buys coffee candy and gave me some from his stash. I now have an average of 3 cups a day and I credit my dad for my love of coffee. His favourite is fresh ground coffee beans from Dunkin Donuts.

[GoddessDigi]

My sister grew up LOVING coffee.
I absolutely hated it until about 3 years ago. lol
Funny how differently it can go.

I wouldn't have gotten so mad about it, if she hadn't been so rude. But seriously, she was RUDE. Calling me a bad mom...pfft.
Probably thought she could get away with it because I look young. I may look like/dress like a hippie, but I'm not so easy-going, missy!

[K8's Fate]

Just providing a some info. It's still a parents choice though.

For children age 12 and under, Health Canada recommends a maximum daily caffeine intake of no more than 2.5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/food-aliment/caffeine-eng.php

An average coffee has approx. 130mg of caffeine.

While I don't think people should be rude and make inappropriate comments, I also think its important to research into the effects and appropriate amounts to give any individuals.

[HeatherWake]

People can be totally rude and ignorant. I understand about the mentality of "it takes a village to raise a child", meaning that we all have to be aware of other peoples children and protect ALL children (among other meanings,,). I would have no issue breaking someones car window if I saw a child inside left alone. In fact, I have called the police on a woman before who left a store in her car with her toddler on her lap, not in a car seat. But thats a safety issue. If I saw you giving your child a sip of a coffee, I would never say anything to you. I have no idea of the history, the home habits etc etc. Im a dental hygienist, and I know firsthand how TERRIBLE raisins are for childrens oral health (as well as fruit rollups) but I never give unsolicited advice or warnings!! Ugh...
But I WILL say one thing about coffee and kids...well coffee and adults too. This is something that I didnt know until a few years ago. Caffeine inhibits the uptake of calcium in the body. This explains the saying that coffee stunts your growth. When you drink coffee, the vitamins and calcium from milk consumed afterwards are blocked from being absorbed. I HATE milk, but I would drink 5 lattes a day (half coffee/half milk)...my doctor told me that I was still getting ZERO calcium from them because the caffeine blocks the uptake. So yes, even though your son may not be getting headaches or coffee buzzed up all night from the occasional drink..just keep in mind that he isn't getting calcium afterwards either!! A sip here and there wont kill him for christs sake! LOL Mind your own business people!!

[couponmummy]

My 19 year old DD hates tea and coffee. My 17 year old DS tried it a few years ago and loves french vanilla.

I think tea and coffee is an acquired taste like beer, wine, etc.

My next indulgent is chocolate covered espresso beans, LOL.

[Candini]

I went to Target before and got myself a frappucino without coffee and my daughter stole it and was sipping. This older couple walked by gave me the look of death and started muttering to themselves.

I just laughed. There will always be outspoken people regardless if you do something right or wrong.

[Shwa Girl]

[CrazyQT]

There are a lot more side effects to caffeine than "staying up all night".

[Shwa Girl]

[Lyssia510]

I hate people who feel the need to comment on things that aren't any of their business. There's a lot worse you could be giving you kid besides a bit of coffee.

[HeatherWake]

GODDESSDIGI..f'em...seriously. I'll tell you a story of what I did to my kids when he was 2. This was 21 years ago, and I was a smoker. Yep, would smoke around my kid all the time. He was such a little brat and constantly grabbed at my lit cigarette and try to grab other peoples lit smokes too. So one day I asked him if he wanted my cigarette and he (of course) said yes. So I held my LIT cigarette up to his mouth. He blew into it like a balloon. I said no no, suck in like a straw!! WHILE IT WAS LIT. (yes, I did!!) My two year old son inhaled a big old drag of smoke, turned green, coughed his brains out and puked on my lap. lol. But did he EVER touch a cigarette again? No. Not until he was 14 and became a teenage brat!! But it just goes to show that we as parents know whats best for our kids...so yes please, everyone can MTOB!!!

[CrazyQT]

Did you mean the effects on the brain? hyperactivity? sleep problems, stomach problems, irregular heart beat?

[saddlebag]

Did you feed him a healthy breakfast?......refrain from beating the crap out of him?.....perhaps you should have left him locked in your hot car while you were shopping.....that might have made them happier...when they're perfect....let them criticize you........