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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To tell them they can’t drink in their own home?

413 replies

Toddlertantrums222 · 21/12/2024 20:23

Hi, I am a single mum to a toddler and have been invited by my family (parents and siblings) to spend Christmas with them and stay for the week.

I sent out a text a few days ago to basically say that I’d really appreciate it if people withhold from consuming alcohol around my son, excluding Christmas Day. I explained that most nights he goes to bed by 6/7pm so obviously still plenty time to drink in the evening. Reason being is that I just don’t like the atmosphere of people being drunk, especially when it brings out an aggressive/argumentative side which I have seen in certain family members. I wouldn’t take him to a pub everyday for the same reason. It’s also a safeguarding concern as a few months ago one family member was watching my son and he had a fall, resulting in a lump on his head and bruise lasting a week. I didn’t know they had been drinking, apparently it was only a couple, but I really felt like the alcohol was partly to blame. Maybe I’m being paranoid and it had nothing to do with it, but that’s how I feel.

2 out of the 3 adult family members have responded with yes that’s totally fine but the others have not. Not a peep.

I don’t know if I am being unreasonable or not. Personally I don’t really care for alcohol, could go months without touching it, so doesn’t bother me. But appreciate others do enjoy drinking a lot more than me.

OP posts:
Newbie887 · 21/12/2024 20:28

Would your parents and siblings realistically be drinking from 11am and be very drunk by 6pm? It is Christmas Day so I would be wanting a glass of Buck’s Fizz for breakfast, a bit more bubbly at canapé time etc etc. Also a glass of wine with Christmas dinner at 3pm. I wouldn’t be drunk after all this and wouldn’t be happy about having to put a stop to it all for the sake of one child! But then there is no one in my family who would make a scene or take it to excess before 6pm.

i think you are being unreasonable, unless your family have a history of alcoholism, or fighting when drunk.

I very much doubt your toddler will notice anyone drinking given they are generally oblivious and will have so much other stuff distracting them on Christmas Day.

Patienceinshortsupply · 21/12/2024 20:28

Your house - your rules.

Their house - their rules.

YABVVVVU, sorry.

mrsm43s · 21/12/2024 20:28

Utterly ridiculous and unreasonable request.

UndeniablyGenX · 21/12/2024 20:28

From what you say, it sounds like they have a history of drunken aggression, so actually I don't think you're being unreasonable.

Purplecatshopaholic · 21/12/2024 20:28

Don’t be ridiculous op! I’m afraid I’d refuse to comply on principle - you can’t ask this of people it will just get backs up for no good reason. You stay sober, it’s your child. You may need to reconsider going if you really can’t bear people drinking.

SeriouslyStressed · 21/12/2024 20:27

Either your family are full of problem drinkers (in which case I would go low/no contact and join al-anon)

Or

YABVVVVVVVVU

Rainingandlookslikeitwillneverstop · 21/12/2024 20:27

You can’t dictate what others do in their own house.

you stay sober - you watch your son .

let them enjoy Christmas how they chose.

if being around alcohol is such a problem - don’t go.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 21/12/2024 20:27

No. You can't ask that.

If they were in sole charge of your child then fair enough. They're not, you'll be there.

Pandasnacks · 21/12/2024 20:27

You are obviously being unreasonable. If they were babysitting I'd sort of understand, but no, you can't tell them not to drink, either go and take care of your child, or if they are that aggressive don't go.

Retrospeaker · 21/12/2024 20:27

No I don’t think you can do that OP, sorry

DowntonCrabbie · 21/12/2024 20:26

I think you know you can't. Although you have already 🤷‍♀️

Octavia64 · 21/12/2024 20:26

You are being incredibly unreasonable.

biscuitsandbooks · 21/12/2024 20:25

Of course you can't do that.