One of the nice things about vacationing on an island is sipping a fruity cocktail with an umbrella in it. If you are vacationing with young children, most likely they are right there next to you while you’re enjoying that drink.
I think most people would agree that having a drink in front of your children is totally acceptable, but are a few drinks okay? Is it okay to get drunk in front of your children and while they are in your care?
I witnessed a couple of parents putting back a few too many with their kids last week on the Vineyard. It’s not just vacationing parents who do it though. I was once invited to an afternoon playdate where the mommies were drinking Cosmos while the toddlers ran around in a playroom.
I’m no teetotaler. I enjoy a glass of wine or a pint of beer with my dinner and I drink them while eating out with my girls. But I’m also a lightweight when it comes to alcohol and any more than one drink, and Mommy starts slurring her words. I won’t drive if I’ve had more than one drink and I can’t imagine taking care of my kids while tipsy.
Am I uptight? Maybe. But the days of doing shots with my girlfriends ended when the days of breastfeeding and changing poopy diapers started.
What do you think? Is it okay to have a few drinks in front of your kids?
Hiccup.
Depending on your tolerance, I think 1-2 drinks max, in front of tiny kids. Older kids, same really, or you might find them dipping into the liquor cabinet.
As with everything else in life: It depends on the person. I know people who show no external signs of intoxication after a six-pack of beer and I know people who are falling all over themselves from half a glass of wine.
Personally, I’d stop after 3 beers or glasses of wine if I knew I was responsible for watching the kid… basically, the point at which it would no longer be legal for me to drive a car. Then again, the last time I had that many was Independence Day weekend when my sister-in-law, mother, and her boyfriend were all around to watch the baby.
It depends on what you consider setting a good example. I am happy for my kids to see adults drinking responsibly at dinner, and then enjoying a few evening drinks. Teaches them that when you are old enough, sensible drinking can be enjoyable. If after one drink I was falling all over the place – I wouldn’t want my kids, or anyone else to see that.
Should you drink and parent? Shouldn’t the question be: “Should you be sober and parent?”
I agree with GNM – stop at the point BEFORE you can no longer drive.
I believe it may at times be necessary.
It’s never a good idea to let your children see you drunk. That said, we are all human, and everyone has been known to tie one on occasionally. If the children are young, and no one is driving, there’s no harm done. But as our children get older and more observant, if this is a habit for you, you may have to take a hard look in the mirror.
Once you have children, you owe it to them to drink responsibly if you want them to do the same. Our children are watching our every move, and if you lecture them about the importance of drinking responsibly without doing the same, you are undercutting your credibility.
I visited this topic a few months ago on my blog: https://njhausfrau.blogspot.com/2009/06/coffee-and-cocktails.html
I think a glass or a beer is OK….but I find this town goes overboard with the whole drinking thing. I have been to way too many children’s birthday parties where alcohol is served to adults. I mean…is that really necessary???
sorry. I meant a glass of wine or a beer.
Don’t really see anything wrong with beer or wine at a child’s birthday party, especially if it is an outdoor summer party. It’s not like people are falling over themselves at Little Gym parties—weeeeeeeeeee, let’s get hammered and play with the parachute, watch my forward roll–check out my donkey kick!
Actually, considering how overboard some of the b-day parties are these days, I think it is totally necessary to serve some alcohol. Music for Aardvarks is much more fun if you’re liquored up.
LOL, tudlow!