16 yr old dd and diet coke

[Anonymous]

I've never been a pop drinker and our household never stocks it beyond parties and holidays. My other kids take it or leave it, usually only having it at restraunts. Over the summer my teenage daughter developed a huge diet coke addiction at the pool she was life guarding at. Now she drinks it constantly! This is all bought by her own money (has another part time job) so I don't know if it's really my place to say anything. She is responsible with her money, so it's not like she blowing it all on junk but this one treat has really turned into a multiple times a day fix! I worry that its way too many chemicals for such a young growing body! I've talked to her about it to no end and she always claims it's cheaper than her friends with Starbucks addictions so I should be happy! Ive printed out various articles about diet soda and how awful it is and she really could care less. My dh says to relax and be glad its not ciggs or beer! Advice please!! Anyway to convience her or persuade her to put down the can?

[Anonymous]

As a parent you definitely have the right to weigh in on anything concerning a minor child.

I would be just as concerned about the amount of caffeine that she's getting as well.

There's not much you can do to influence a teenager's behavior. I would ask her to limit her consumption to a certain ounce level and try the decaf version. I wouldn't make a big deal of it b/c this isn't really worth the battle.

[Anonymous]

It will get replaced with alcohol soon, so enjoy the diet coke.

[Anonymous]

I was addicted to Tab. Anyone remember Tab? I agree that it wasn't healthy but I eventually came to that realization myself. or rather, I eventually decided to care about it. I'm not sure there's much you can do here. Its not a power struggle you can win.

[Anonymous]

I lifeguarded as a teen. We drank tons of diet coke. One of my friends used to drink 2 liters of Pepsi a day! We all survived to adulthood and are healthy now. My mom used to cut clippings out of newspapers about soda (and sun exposure) and leavet hem on my bed!!

I think over consumption of soda is part of being a teen.

[Anonymous]

If you have a problem with it then say no coke in your house. She is welcome to purchase it when she is out eating with her friends but cannot keep/drink it at home. She is 16 and living in your house. Who cares if it is her money, you are the mom. If she was buying slutty outfits or stripper heels with her money woul you be okay with it? Why don't you grow a pair and be a parent not a friend. You would not be making an unreasonable request.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you have a problem with it then say no coke in your house. She is welcome to purchase it when she is out eating with her friends but cannot keep/drink it at home. She is 16 and living in your house. Who cares if it is her money, you are the mom. If she was buying slutty outfits or stripper heels with her money woul you be okay with it? Why don't you grow a pair and be a parent not a friend. You would not be making an unreasonable request.

You don't make any sense. Mom isn't providing it. Her daughter is buying it herself and drinking it. She can ban it in the house but that is a massive struggle waiting to happen and doesn't actually mean the daughter will drink any less. No where in Ops post does she sound like she is trying to be her friend. And diet coke = slutty outfits and stripper heels? Not sure if you are a troll or just stupid but either way you contributed nothing.

[Anonymous]

The phosphoric acid can contribute to loss of calcium and tooth enamel erosion. Make sure she dilutes it with lots of water and take a calcium supplement.

[Anonymous]

When I was 16 and lifeguarding, I picked up an addiction to Camel Lights, vodka mixed with Crystal Light, and hooking up with the 20-something pool manager. Oh, and Montgomery Donuts.

It's all relative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I was 16 and lifeguarding, I picked up an addiction to Camel Lights, vodka mixed with Crystal Light, and hooking up with the 20-something pool manager. Oh, and Montgomery Donuts.

It's all relative.

Lol... yes it is. Thanks for keeping it real!

[Anonymous]

I think you should do your best to limit it- and maybe suggest a healthier option of soda water and fruit? Although citrus also erodes enamel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I was 16 and lifeguarding, I picked up an addiction to Camel Lights, vodka mixed with Crystal Light, and hooking up with the 20-something pool manager. Oh, and Montgomery Donuts.

It's all relative.

Lol... yes it is. Thanks for keeping it real!

I turned out just fine, by the way .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The phosphoric acid can contribute to loss of calcium and tooth enamel erosion. Make sure she dilutes it with lots of water and take a calcium supplement.

wha wha what???!!!

[Anonymous]

Eh, I'd let her drink it. If it's her own money, and she's not spending it on drugs or alcohol, I'm not going to complain too much.

[Anonymous]

Given OP's excessive use of exclamation points, her DD may not be the only one who needs to cut back on the caffeine.