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
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Comments 38
I think it's adorable. And really, I gave one of the kids a sip of ginger ale when she was an infant. She kept grabbing my glass and was curious about it, so I let her have a sip. And the look on her face from the carbonation was priceless. Junk food is fine in moderation. Making your kid live on a diet of wheat germ and vegetables is only going to make them sneak it or overindulge the instant they're away from you. Plus, making certain foods "forbidden" or "bad" is just asking for a complex surrounding food.
He is so cute! Soda is not good, we get it, but those comments are outrageous! Cute kiddo!
THIS JUST IN: Jerks make mean comments on YouTube!! STORY AT ELEVEN
People are always going to be judgemental. Nothing is going to stop them, this isn't big news.
Heck, I WISH I could get my son to drink soda! He won't touch anything fizzy at all. People say that's good, but every once in a while soda can be a good thing: ginger ale for an upset tummy, or drinking soda at a birthday party at the park when that's all that's available and the closest drinking fountain is practically a mile away!
But he won't touch the stuff. And he's no picky toddler, he's NINE, for heavens sake.
It's nothing but a sweet little boy enjoying his first taste of root beer. Anyone who assumes otherwise is just acting ridiculous. There is a huge difference between pouring Coke in you're kid's bottle or sippy cup and letting them have a little taste. Besides the sugar, root beer is at least caffeine free. Here, it's obvious that he's never had it before. Look at him freaking out over the carbonation! Everyone is allowed a little indulgence on occasion. Cute video.
earthy parents have GONE TO FAR if they are saying this about paretns who give their kids soda soemtimes..really..i enjoy the ap parenting path myself, but reality is in my house too...