Drinking while being a parent?

Question

Do you think it's acceptable to drink around your children? I don't drink and have an opinion but I want to see what others opinions are.

Answer 1

I am a parent, but I am also still a person. I drink socially, and I have an occasional drink in my home, always have. I have also allowed my kids to have a sip, and as they got older, have a drink (small on special occasions). Call me a bad parent is you want, but when their friends were out drinking and dying in car accidents, my kids were home safe because they knew what alcohol tasted like and knew they could drink at home. My daughter turned 21 last Feb and didn't hit the bar like all her friends, and has never drank more than socially. My choice may seem bad to someone else, but it worked for me.

Answer 2

I think that an occasional drink is fine. I am not a big drinker, I occasionally enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, sometimes in the summer, a beer. (I have a 22 month old)
My parents are not big drinkers either, just an occasional glass of wine, or my dad would once in a great while have a scotch before dinner.
My family is from Spain and having an some wine or beer with dinner or a pre-dinner drink is not a big deal. Teenagers do NOT sneak drinks, nor is it socially acceptable to get drunk.
I think it's important to teach our children, not just through our words but our actions that we are always responsible for our behavior. It is not that alcohol is evil, but the abuse of alcohol is NOT acceptable.
Niether my house nor my parents house has never been totally stocked up with beer or wine. There is some available for guests, and their might be a couple of bottles of beer in the fridge. It's the same with soda. We do not keep a large stock of soda, nor do we drink it around our child.
All in moderation...Just my thoughts...

Answer 3

i think it is my parents drank but very very responsibly. There was never liquor in the house except for a bottle or wine or two. When we went out to eat, not every time but on occasion they would have a beer or something and stop at one drink. I never saw them drunk and they were really disgusted when other family members were drunk at family events. I am married now and been through college. I never binged drunk and i just drink on occasion. I have been drunk once in my life by accident, i did not know how strong the drink i was drinking was. I only have one or two drinks at a time. I feel if you can drink responsibly and have open discussions about it you won't have a teenager who is sneaking to drink at parties or a college student who lays in his own vomit after passing out. Both of which i saw growing up

Answer 4

I drink around my kids but never gotten drunk or had a few too extra before they were in bed. I don't think that is acceptable. There's nothing wrong with having a drink during dinner or in the evening when everyone is relaxing. It was kind of cute once...I had a cocktail during supper and I got up to get something and my 3 year old went to grab it and my 6 y/o said, "no that's adult juice." Kids in some cultures and in European countries have wine with their dinner but in western society that is frowned upon.

Answer 5

I just discussed this last night. I drink but refuse to do so when my daughter is present. If I am going out and she is in bed and there is a sober adult there then I will. But not if she is awake. I don't think it's right to get hammered around your children.Or even tipsy. If you are having one or two then that's fine. But I wouldn't personally do it. Kids are so special. And the scariest thing about raising them is that you can't turn back the clock, any mistakes you make are done and you can't take them back. All you can do is try to be a good parent.

Answer 6

well for me, no. After not drinking while pregnant and nursing, I am a lightweight, I need a clear head to take care of my son. I don't drink alcohol anymore. I think it's okay if you have a beer, but not take shots in front of you kids. Hopefully as an adult, you already know your limits and you can wait until the kids are in bed or get a babysitter if you want to party.

Answer 7

If you avoid drinking alcoholic beverages all together in front of your children, they are more likely to get the message that this is taboo, and their interest will be piqued. If you drink socially, lightly and responsibility around your children, they will take that lesson also.
It seems as though more teens get into trouble with alcohol when they come from teetotalling families or families of alcohol abusers.

Maybe once a month, when we have friends over, each adult who wants has ONE drink, we don't offer a second one.

Answer 8

My husband & I rarely drank before having our children. And now that we have children choses not to drink around them. We have a drink a few times a year when we go out w/ friends to dinner (no children). One of my friends drinks a beer w/ her husband every evening around her 4 yera old, her 4 year old likes to drink soda out of the can & call it beer, I find that a bit disturbing

Answer 9

My parents drank in front of us when we were children (I did not live with them, but when we were visiting they did)... at my grandparents house they do not drink... so when we were in high school we would have to sneak unless we were at my parents house, then we really did not want it.

I believe that if it is there and not taboo to children then they will be less likely to drink.

I think that you can have a drink or some drinks as long as you know your body and know when to stop. I do not think that it is good for children to see their parents drunk.

Answer 10

well, my daughter is about 11 months old. i personally don't drink around her bc i only drink liquor and i'm her sole caretaker. my fiance does, but he only drinks beer and he can handle his alcohol much better than myself.
it just depends really how you handle your alcohol. if your prone to get drunk easily, then, no. it effects your ability to care for them like you should id something were to happen. if you can drink a beer or 2 without it affecting you, then sure why not. use your judgment wisely. i was actually raised up that drinking was wrong no matter the amount of consumption amount. i believe that if you're of age and you have wise judgment as to when enough if enough then sure.