Care and Feeding

I’m following my gut.

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Care and Feeding is Slate’s parenting advice column. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Submit it here .

Dear Care and Feeding,

I quit drinking alcohol, but keep THC soda, non-alcoholic “gin” (really just herbal water), and non-alcoholic beer/wine around, usually leftovers from parties. We’re very clear that THC and other inebriants are off limits because of the effect they can have on brain development.

But my 13-year-old son and 14-year-old niece have both asked to try the NA beer. I’ve always said no, but never with a great explanation. I once asked my niece’s mom what she thought, and her opinion was that it’s too close to beer, so no. My gut reaction is also no, but I can’t really say why.

We live in a culture that’s very permissive around alcohol, and at their age, I was definitely having champagne on holidays.…