Coffee and Children

[George]

I believe most people in the United States believe coffee is generally not good for children. I find this interesting because my mother is from Peru, and she told me as a child she was routinely given coffee in the morning. They would dilute it with a lot of milk though. Is anyone else familiar with this tradition?

[Brewster]

I have met people who do the same thing, though it is rarer than Peru, I'm sure. Mostly this seems to be a cultural rule, rather like wine in France, right? I understand people worrying about the caffeine element of coffee for kids, but they will happily let them get a sugar high from soda and candy!

[George]

I think you're right Brewster, what's acceptable will vary between different cultures. I guess that's what makes it interesting though. That's a great point about sugar too, I don't really see how a little caffeine is much worse, but I guess it depends on your perspective.

[Buzzy]

There is probably not an actual health concern with giving children coffee; it's just "assumed" to be bad because many stereotypes about coffee still exist. Like it'll stunt your growth!!

[ilikeitblack]

Little ones like to imitate their mom or dad or grandpa or grandma. When I drink coffee and my grandson wants some, I give him about a teaspoon of coffee and the rest milk or flavored creamer. He loves it and thinks he's drinking coffee just like me.

[Kristin]

I believe most people in the United States believe coffee is generally not good for children. I find this interesting because my mother is from Peru, and she told me as a child she was routinely given coffee in the morning. They would dilute it with a lot of milk though. Is anyone else familiar with this tradition?

As a child, I was never allowed to drink caffeinated coffee or decaf coffee that had been sweetened with a lot of sugar, however my parents would let me drink decaf coffee and milk, like your mother did when she was a child. My parents have never had an issue with one of their children drinking the coffee itself, it's just the caffeine and sugar in the coffee that they didn't want us consuming.

[Beans]

It is a cultural difference that I will never understand. I would much rather give my child a bit of coffee and milk than a candy bar with no nutritional value whatsoever.

[LucyCB]

Kids usually don't like coffee. Grown-ups do.