Dear Urban Diplomat: should I let my son’s 18-year-old friend drink while he’s travelling with us in Mexico?
My wife and I are taking our son and our good friends’ son to the Mayan Riviera. They just told us their kid is not to have a drop of booze under any circumstances. But since they’re 18—the legal drinking age in Mexico—and we don’t intend to hover over them, we can’t promise no liquor will touch his lips. Plus, we’re okay with our son having the odd beer, as long as he’s responsible. What do you suggest?
—Niños Will Be Niños, Rosedale
Few combinations are more combustible than Mexico, 18-year-olds and Jose Cuervo. Your puritanical friends should have mentioned their stipulation before they agreed to let their son come along. They didn’t, so you need to tell them how far you’re willing to go to police their kid. Be honest and respectful, and leave it up to them. If they opt out, let it go. You may have hell to pay from your son, but if you’re lucky, he’ll be happy to leave his buttoned-down pal behind.
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![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/city/urban-diplomat-ninos-will-be-ninos/&title=Dear Urban Diplomat: should I let my son’s 18-year-old friend drink while he’s travelling with us in Mexico?&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/urban-diplomat-ninos-will-be-ninos-feat.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_265057" align="alignleft" width="292"] (Image: Justin Roselt/Flickr)[/caption]Dear Urban Diplomat,
My wife and I are taking our son and our good friends’ son to the Mayan Riviera. They just told us their kid is not to have a drop of booze under any circumstances. But since they’re 18—the legal drinking age in Mexico—and we don’t intend to hover over them, we can’t promise no liquor will touch his lips. Plus, we’re okay with our son having the odd beer, as long as he’s responsible. What do you suggest?
—Niños Will Be Niños, Rosedale
Few combinations are more combustible than Mexico, 18-year-olds and Jose Cuervo. Your puritanical friends should have mentioned their stipulation before they agreed to let their son come along. They didn’t, so you need to tell them how far you’re willing to go to police their kid. Be honest and respectful, and leave it up to them. If they opt out, let it go. You may have hell to pay from your son, but if you’re lucky, he’ll be happy to leave his buttoned-down pal behind.
Send your questions to the Urban Diplomat at urbandiplomat@torontolife.com){kind=link}
If he’s 18, then he’s legally an adult, so there really isn’t much that you or his parents can do. It’s up to you if you want to be the designated chaperone.