Snowy Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 8 year old son has a bit of a cold and I struggle to get him to drink enough at the best of times. So the other day I offered him a cup of tea, thinking he would refuse. He didn't and now wants it on a regular basis! Needless to say it is weak and milky with a hint of sugar , but I am wondering what I've started! What age do most children normally tend to start drinking tea and coffee? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 I'm sure I was drinking tea at this age. Next door's baby drank it out of an HP sauce bottle with a teat on it when I was a child! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 The neighbours kids, about 7, sometimes steal Moms tea so sure it'll be fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 I was drinking weak, milky tea as a toddler - odd really 'cos I don't drink it at all now ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 Mine never liked tea as toddlers/children and don't now either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Palmer Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 I clearly remember giving up sugar in tea at the age of 8 because the dad in our close friends family was doing so. So all us children decided to try too. I was successful and haven't taken sugar to this day. (Others lapsed and succumbed to the sugar ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Potts Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 I think 8 is fine, to be honest, if you aren't putting sugar in. Both daughters drank milky cool tea with no sugar, from teething cups. I have awful teeth so they were not offered fruit juice and have never liked fizzy drinks either, so it was either milk, tea or water all way through. They drink it occasionally now, still weak with no sugar. Mrs P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 My 2 boys started drinking it at about 11 (with a tsp sugar). They drink normal tea now but I did have to switch to decaff when they were younger as it made the pee big time. They are OK with normal tea now though. ES at 17 is not a bit of a tea connoisseur and loves Earl Grey and other non bog standard teas. I bought him a special teapot for brewing loose tea for his 17th birthday They don't drink much though - maybe once a week.I was given tea a a very early age but I hated it then and still do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted May 14, 2011 Author Share Posted May 14, 2011 I did succomb to a bit of sugar in it as he doesn't get any cordials or fizzy drinks at all, we are strictly a water or milk household except on special occasions! It's just that I can remember having my first tea at about age 14, and oldest son only started drinking it at 18. I was worried that there might be some consensus suggesting it was inappropriate at a younger age, but obviously not He's certainly enjoying it anyway, and at least it's boosting his fluid intake whilst poorly! I always find a cup of tea helps anyway if feeling a bit stuffy nosed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 Mine were toddlers and at 15 and 10 still have the odd cup. No sugar just milk. Wont touch coffe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 Mine have tea - milk and sugar and not very strong - they all like it My eldest is allowed a very weak decaf made with milk very occasionally, she comes in the kitchen and says "can I have a skinny decaf latte mum?" makes her feel all grown up BeckyBoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 I had tea from being very very young (definitely before I started school). I don't really see what the issue is. (Although the bit that WAS wrong was that my mother and her mum put sugar in it - which I think was normal at the time but really silly). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teacake Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 I'm sure the advice I was given when my two were weaning etc was no tea before age 5 as the tannins interfere with iron absorbtion. my son has been drinking tea since about 8, my daughter will drink it if she's cold and there's no hot chocolate. if you give it without sugar from the beginning they never learn to like it. if you are worried about the caffiene you could try decaff. lots of children drink coca cola without any concerns about the caffiene though.... thankfully mine don't like fizzy so we don't have any issues about it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 My kids drink tea and the oldest has decaf coffee too, I don't mind as it is mostly hot water, better than coke. Personally I have never drank tea or any hot drinks - could truly say I am teatotal ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reikiranf Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 I never gave mine tea when they were young as when I was pregnant with ED I read that children under 3 years of age shouldn't be given tea as the tannin in it stopped them absorbing iron. Neither the eldest nor youngest drink tea or coffee but the middle one drinks both, she's 25 now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 I drink Redbush tea and my 6 year old LOVES it! He often has tea and toast for breakfast He has tried Tetleys but says its too strong Needless to say, I don't put sugar in it (I don't have sugar myself) but, often when we go to freinds houses he asks for a cup of tea and the expressions on other Mum's faces are a picture He will, sometimes, have Earl Grey too. I make it quite milky so its a good way of topping up his calcium as he is not keen on plain milk My 3 year old still only drinks dilute pure juice, milk or water and I would'nt offer tea for a couple of years yet and then only Redbush as it has no tanin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pearls007 Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 When I was trying to wean my eldest off breast milk on to a beaker he wouldn't drink cows milk or formula - but would toddle around and finish my tea or coffee if he had half a chance - so I started giving him milky tea or decaff coffee instead of milk - but absolutely no sugar - and he has never stopped - he's 18 on Tuesday! His younger brother won't touch the stuff though - kids Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meezers Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 My 12 yr old has been drinking tea and coffee for about 4 years. I started him on the tea, but I think he had his first coffee at school - not sure what the lesson was , but they were eating /drinking different things and I was amazed when he announced he wanted to drink coffee at home ( milky, one small sugar ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 Mine will all drink it, 12,15,17. 17 yr old makes good tea, 15 year old is getting there too, YD loves coffee, the others also drink that too but not regularly. I didn't drink tea or coffee until I was 18 when oH was at uni and it was all he had and he made it without sugar my mum had always tried to get me to drink it with sugar, I hate sweet drinks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 I have always been a tea belly, I can't really remember when I started drinking it though (I'm 37). Both my children drink tea, (decaf) but at 11 and 13 they are now adding sugar when they never had any before - thanks to their nan They both have to make the tea! My husband doesn't have any hot drinks at all and I really don't like coffee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 ES started drinking tea when about 10years old, does not have every day, and no sugar just milk the same as me. Both boys are able to make tea and coffee, hot choc now on their own, as well as toast and lunches. All good prep before I have surgery Neither drink coke or fizzy really - and YS is water and milk still at the age of nine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 I started drinking tea when I was really quite young. When I first started drinking tea it was milky and sugary. Nowadays I like my tea strong enough to stand your spoon up in and without sugar I also discovered redbush tea a few years back and now I much prefer this to regular tea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 Like Egluntyne, I was given tea to drink at a very early age, although I was allowed Orange Squash and Ribena as a treat! My daughter is 21, she will drink Earl Grey or Jasmine Tea, with the occasional cup of Builder's, but after her year in France prefers coffee now. I think she was about 17 when she started having the odd cup of tea, and then more at Uni because it's relatively cheap. She doesn't take sugar. My son likes Chai which he started drinking when he was about 15 and was teaching sailing as it is very warming when cold. He will have the occasional cup of builder's tea at home, but usually sticks to water or Ribena. We're working on him giving up the sugar. I would not drink milk as a child and nor would my OH and interestingly neither of my children would drink milk once weaned. To this day none of us are big on milky or creamy things either, (Lattes and fresh cream desserts for example), although I will force myself to eat natural yoghurt. (My particular torture as a child was Rice Pudding Day on School Meals...I still shudder when I think of it! ) . It makes it very easy when the dessert trolley comes round though!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Rhode Island Red Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 I started drinking tea at about 11 or 12, I can't really remember. And I've never even tasted coffee, yes...never. But to be honest neither were my "Number 1" favourite drink. It was Coke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyChickenLover- Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 I hate tea and coffee Quite a lot of my friends who are the same age as me drink it but I think it is foul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
