Aww, look at that happy kid! He's so happy! There's nothing like the pure, unadulterated joy of early childhood. Why is little Noah so happy? Well, because he just had his first taste ever of root beer.
Are you still seeing a happy kid in that picture? You should be. Unfortunately, a lot of people see something else. Once they hear that this child has been given that toxic devil's brew -- SODA -- to drink, they see a sugar-buzzed tot doomed to a future of obesity and ADHD and addiction and god knows what else.
Some of the more, er, emphatically opinionated comments posted on YouTube include:
"Future alcoholic"
"ONWARD TO OBESITY!"
"It's like instant autism"
"root beer → beer → hard alcohol → joints → mdma → cocaine → heroine → bath salts → eat a hobbo's head → death.
Good luck with life, Noah ... "
A little harsh, don't you think?! Especially that last one? (Also, that's not how you spell "hobo.")
Look, I'm not a huge fan of soda myself and I don't let my kids drink it on a regular basis, but do I think the occasional corn syrup-laden beverage at the movies or somebody's birthday party is going to ruin them for life?
NO. And it's not going to ruin Noah's life, either. Obviously. It's ridiculous that anyone would imply otherwise. But you know what really bothers me about some people's reactions to this video?
What really bothers me is that certain judgmental viewers immediately jump to the conclusion that Noah's parents are gonna give him soda with every meal from now until the moment they roll his obese, toothless self out the door to ... well, not college, since his soda-induced behavior issues will prevent any measure of academic success.
For all any of us knows, Noah lives on organic wheatgrass and flax meal. Not that it's any of our concern, either way.
Watch this adorable video and tell me:
Don't you think people are overreacting to this cute little boy's first taste of root beer?
Image via Jamest77vb/YouTube
This Hot Dad Wants to Do Your Ironing
This Hot Dad Wants to Cook You Dinner
This Hot Dad Cooks AND Does the Dishes
Kanye West is Gay?! 
Comments 38
Yes, people are over-reacting. Everything in moderation. A sip here a taste there isn't going to cause any harm. I don't understand why people are so judgemental about everything!
a Sip is not going to hurt him
That is the cutest video!! People are definitely over-reacting. My 3yr old GD gets a little soda (diet, caffeine free because I am diabetic) every time she visits me. I just fill her CHILD sized cup to a third of the way full and let her have it. Otherwise, she loves ice water!!
The moms who are judging are the same ones with the kids who are sneaking things when they get the first chance to because they were never allowed to have it.
I don't let my daughter drink a lot of soda. None during the week, because she has to go to bed early, but I usually let her have one on Saturday, but I do let her have it at birthday parties or special occasions. I agree with threeforme157...if you don't let them have it, they will sneak it. The only rule I have is I won't give soda to the neighborhood kids, because I don't know which parents are okay with it and which ones aren't, so they all get either water or juice.
OMGawds, how CUTE was that !?! Wow, that was just so fun to watch! I am quite sure that a little root beer here and there will not scar him for life! The family was obviously out for dinner, and for all we, the viewers know, when they are at home, they are serious "hippy granolas" and that is the reason why this was "Noah's" first sip of root beer.
Whatever the reason, this is their child, their choice, and the video was all kinds of adorable, and it was so fun to share that moment with them, and I for one say thanks to them for sharing that great giggle with all of us :)
Dude, my kid tasted Pepsi before he turned two. But who's gonna say no to great-grandma? :-) It's a TREAT.