Recently, actor Kristen Bell made headlines when she revealed that she and her husband, Dax Shepard, allow their two young daughters to drink alcohol-free beer at home. The confession sparked a major discussion among parents, with some questioning the couple’s parenting choices, while others saw no issue with it.

In an interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Kristen shared a somewhat awkward experience they had at a restaurant when one of her children asked for a non-alcoholic beer. She admitted that she preferred to keep it as a home activity, but also expressed that she didn’t see anything wrong with it and didn’t mind being judged by others.

Kristen went on to explain the context behind their decision. Her husband, Dax, is a recovering addict who still enjoys the taste of non-alcoholic beer. As a baby, their oldest daughter would often watch her father relax with a drink, sometimes even sucking on the rim of the bottle. Kristen believes that for her daughter, it represents something special, something that connects her to her father and their family.

Naturally, Kristen’s comments ignited a flurry of opinions online. Some people questioned the parenting move, while others drew comparisons to other beverages with low alcohol content, like kombucha or orange juice. One Twitter user pointed out that people don’t seem to have an issue with kids drinking kombucha, which also contains a small amount of alcohol.

On the other hand, some expressed concerns that allowing children as young as 8 and 10 to drink non-alcoholic beer could normalize beer drinking and potentially lead to them experimenting with alcoholic beverages at a young age.

Dr Chloe Campbell, a pediatrician, shared her thoughts on the matter. She stated that the actual content of alcohol-free beer might not be the main concern, but rather the potential impact it could have on a child’s perception of alcohol. She emphasized that exposing children to beer at a young age might plant the seed that beer drinking is acceptable, which could lead to dangerous consequences if they mistake alcoholic beer for a non-alcoholic one.

While opinions vary, it’s important to note that Kristen has always been open about having honest conversations with her children. Her home seems to encourage a safe space where her daughters can ask questions about anything. Ultimately, parents have different philosophies when it comes to raising their children, and what works for one family may not work for another.

The important thing is to approach these discussions with an open mind and respect for different perspectives. As long as parents are aware of the potential consequences and have open lines of communication with their children, they can navigate these tricky subjects and make decisions that align with their values and beliefs.