Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think shots for parents while kids trick or treat is bad?

110 replies

alco · 27/10/2024 21:55

I'll start by pointing out I am a recovering alcoholic and I really do no think I am only of those preachy people that now look down on anyone for drinking.

In a group (mainly US based) about sobriety I am in one lady was saying in her area people now hand out alcoholic shots to the parents when the kids trick or treat. Some people are defending it saying just because she has a problem with alcohol doesn't mean that every one does. I completely agree. But I really do not think there is a need to hand out shots while the kids are out trick or treating. '

Some even said on local mum groups people are sharing maps of which houses will be participating.

AIBU or is this normal?

OP posts:
BobbyBiscuits · 27/10/2024 22:31

I've never seen anyone offering anything to the adults during trick or treat. I'd no way offer alcohol to people I don't know. They could be unwell, allergic, devoutly Muslim, already drunk, having addiction issues etc. not suitable for supervising children really.
But at a Halloween party it's great to offer drinks to the adults. And perfectly normal.

Gatecrashermum · 27/10/2024 22:30

Not heard of it

I also feel sad about alcohol seeping it's way into every social situation. And alcohol does not equal fun.

When I tackled my attitude to drink I realised if I was drinking to make something more fun I should just not do the activity. Party boring? Go home.

Agree with the poster saying this is a very time-limited thing as a parent. If you need alcohol to make it fun it's pretty sad all round.

Ilovelurchers · 27/10/2024 22:27

I'm sober too and I can imagine this getting quite messy! But I suppose it depends on the size of the area participating - how many shots in total?

In a way I can see it's a nice community thing and sort of neighbourly?

But yes it is also normalising the excessive consumption of strong liquor......

OrwellianTimes · 27/10/2024 22:25

Franjipanl8r · 27/10/2024 22:23

Trays of shots at weddings?! I’ve never been to a UK wedding like that 😂

Show quote history

Ok, come to Wales for a wedding then 😂

Franjipanl8r · 27/10/2024 22:23

OrwellianTimes · 27/10/2024 22:22

You’ve not been to any weddings recently I take it? Always trays and trays of shots going out.

Show quote history

Trays of shots at weddings?! I’ve never been to a UK wedding like that 😂

KoalaCalledKevin · 27/10/2024 22:23

Rumplestiltz · 27/10/2024 22:15

there’s an argument about whether it’s right or wrong to get hammered while the kids t or t, but it’s a bit weird to be worried about shots from a random stranger but fine to let your kid take their sweets and chocolate

To be fair, the chocolates and sweets are presumably generally in sealed individual packaging.

Franjipanl8r · 27/10/2024 22:22

It’s cold and often rainy in the UK at Halloween. There would be nothing sadder than trudging around in the rain with your kids trick or treating necking some tequila under an umbrella.

OrwellianTimes · 27/10/2024 22:22

bert3400 · 27/10/2024 22:03

Is this an American thing cause generally Brits don't do shots? ... certainly not when kids are around ...beer and wine at kids parties is definitely a thing and at our Halloween parties in the past ...but not shots

You’ve not been to any weddings recently I take it? Always trays and trays of shots going out.

OrwellianTimes · 27/10/2024 22:21

Saschka · 27/10/2024 21:57

Bizarre, honestly. And what parent is going to accept a shot of mystery liquid from a stranger?

The kind that accepts mystery sweets from a stranger?

bitsalty · 27/10/2024 22:20

bert3400 · 27/10/2024 22:03

Is this an American thing cause generally Brits don't do shots? ... certainly not when kids are around ...beer and wine at kids parties is definitely a thing and at our Halloween parties in the past ...but not shots

Of course brits do shots. Maybe not at a kids party but they definitely do!

sprigatito · 27/10/2024 22:18

Wow, are there still people who think trick-or-treating is begging? I thought that attitude was an 80s thing Confused

Ribenaberry12 · 27/10/2024 22:17

I can see how it would be in keeping with the party spirit and I don’t think it’s that bad. Would I take a shot? Yes, probably. Especially if it was on a cold night. I don’t see it as that different to a mulled wine at a Christmas event. One yes, 20 no!

5128gap · 27/10/2024 22:16

Saschka · 27/10/2024 21:57

Bizarre, honestly. And what parent is going to accept a shot of mystery liquid from a stranger?

The same type who'd be knocking the door of a stranger so their kids could beg them for sweets I suppose.

Kibble29 · 27/10/2024 22:16

Never heard of this but I think it’s a bit strange.

It makes me think it’s a case of “I can’t endure an hour of trick or treating with my kids so I need to drink to get through it.”

I’m not a prude at all, not in any context, but trick or treating is for kids and I think it’s best to just let them do their thing without making it about us adults.

It’s a finite event you get to do with your kids (even before they stop doing it, they’ll stop wanting their Mum to go) so I think it’s best to just lay off the drink until you’re home and they’re in bed, if that’s what you want.

Rumplestiltz · 27/10/2024 22:15

there’s an argument about whether it’s right or wrong to get hammered while the kids t or t, but it’s a bit weird to be worried about shots from a random stranger but fine to let your kid take their sweets and chocolate

TickingAlongNicely · 27/10/2024 22:15

Around my way its not uncommon for older siblings (14 or so) to take the children... and honestly, some of these could pass for young adults. I wouldn't want to be responsible for giving shots to teenagers!

MrsTerryPratchett · 27/10/2024 22:14

Saz12 · 27/10/2024 22:09

I'd be worried about groups of children in black bin liners (aka witches outfits) in the dark not being supervised around traffic!

This. Drunk walking is more fatal, statistically, than drink driving for the person drinking. Taking your excited kids around drunk? Not a good idea.

Lincoln24 · 27/10/2024 22:10

When I was at university Halloween shots were a thing because you can make them ghoulish colours and so on. I assume it's like that?

I could take it or leave it, I'd probably accept the odd one, why not? It's a cold and somewhat tedious evening for me as a parent!

Original poster
alco · 27/10/2024 22:10

"Giving out shots is odd but if parents wanted to get pissed, they could do that before leaving the house." this is very true, with some admitting to doing just that or having their own drink while trick or treating with their kids.

The problem I find though is that it is making it out like it is something normal. Kids get a twix the parent gets a shot of tequila.

OP posts:
takealettermsjones · 27/10/2024 22:09

I like a drink as much as the next person but I can't imagine worse vibes than shots on your own while ferrying the kids around in the cold on a Thursday night, then going home and dealing with their sugar-high comedown, wrestling them into bed and then getting up and going to work in the morning!

Serene135 · 27/10/2024 22:09

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 27/10/2024 22:05

I feel like if someone is basing their kids trick or treating route on whether they can get trollied then they probably do have an alcohol problem.

I'd also not be accepting random liquid from strangers.

True. To be honest though I also don’t like the idea of kids receiving sweets/chocolate from strangers. I would never let my children knock a stranger's door and then eat what they have been given.

Saz12 · 27/10/2024 22:09

I'd be worried about groups of children in black bin liners (aka witches outfits) in the dark not being supervised around traffic!

Serene135 · 27/10/2024 22:07

Never heard of that and completely inappropriate in my opinion.

Tbskejue · 27/10/2024 22:05

Another way drinking is being weaved into activities; it depresses me. I do drink but it’s how it’s now a part of so many activities and normalised as a drink being part of every social activity that depresses me. Also I don’t want my children to see me doing shots as if that’s the adult way to have fun.

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 27/10/2024 22:05

I feel like if someone is basing their kids trick or treating route on whether they can get trollied then they probably do have an alcohol problem.

I'd also not be accepting random liquid from strangers.

Swipe left for the next trending thread