Dear Annie: I’m worried my great-grandson’s mocktails are training him to drink

Dear Annie: A concerned reader reached out to us at 205focus.com with a parenting dilemma. Her granddaughter allows her young son to order mocktails—drinks that mimic the presentation of adult beverages but contain no alcohol. The grandmother fears this practice could serve as a gateway, priming the child to consume real alcohol at an early age.

Is a Mocktail a Dangerous Precedent?

While the reader’s anxiety is rooted in genuine love and concern, Annie Lane offers a tempered perspective. The primary fear is that these virgin drinks act as “training wheels,” glamourizing alcohol before the child has the maturity to grasp the reality of drinking.

However, Lane notes that there is a distinction between a fun, sugary treat like a Shirley Temple and being served an actual cocktail. For many parents, these drinks are simply a way to help a child feel special or included during a celebration.

The Big Picture

Unless there are clear indicators of an unhealthy fixation on alcohol, Lane suggests that this may not be a battle worth fighting. Ultimately, the way the adults in his life model their own relationship with alcohol will have a much more significant impact on the child than the occasional virgin piña colada.

Read more Dear Annie and other advice columns.

“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology—featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation—is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.