In the News / Scoop

I might get a lot of backlash for this, but when I read in U.S. News & World Report that College Heads Unite to Debate Drinking Age, I was a bit relieved. Even though my kids are only 11, 9 and 7, I have always stated that I will not let them go to college without them learning how to drink responsibly.

Think me irresponsible? Have you ever seen freshmen loose on campus the first weekend away at college? It ain't pretty. Have you ever been a freshman loose on campus the first weekend away from home?

If your child can't hold his own when it comes to alcohol consumption for the first time, it can be deadly. In fact, according to the Associated Press, federal records indicated that between the years 1999 through 2005, there were 157 drinking related deaths of college-age people, 18 to 23. And no thank you, I don't want one of my children to be a statistic.

While I won't condone my children going out and drinking at under-aged parties, I will allow them to sample a beer here and there or taste some wine in the privacy of our own home, so they get to know what it is like to have that feeling, and let them learn to drink responsibly without losing control.

Because I guarantee you, they'll be offered an adult beverage by someone the minute the Resident Assistant ushers me out of the dorm, and I can also guarantee you it ain't gonna be a Red Bull ... unless there's vodka in it.

Tell us: How do you feel about lowering the drinking age?