We need to be very careful not to assume that early alcohol consumption will somehow protect children or teach them how to drink safely. Kristina Jackson More Quotes by Kristina Jackson More Quotes From Kristina Jackson I think the most important thing is to make sure that children know when drinking alcohol is acceptable and when it is not. Kristina Jackson living On initial glance the findings seem to be in contradiction, but the important difference between the two studies is the comparison group. Kristina Jackson living I would say that it is advisable not to offer your child a sip of your beverage, as it may send the wrong message -- younger teens and tweens may be unable to understand the difference between drinking a sip and drinking one or more drinks. Kristina Jackson living Our comparison is with children who did not drink at all. Kristina Jackson living One theory is that some of these children are getting a message that drinking is okay, especially when it is offered by the parent. Kristina Jackson living