Drinking wine in the park while children play?

jamimapuddlejump · 2026-10-16T12:45:20+00:00

I took my little one to the park yesterday afternoon and there was a mum and daughter sitting on a blanket with a picnic and a bottle of wine with 2 plastic glasses while the little ones were playing. They were sitting chatting and watching the kids who were around primarily school age playing together. I didn’t think a lot at the time but maybe thought it was a bit funny, would you think it was ok to crack open a bottle of wine in the play park?

Scarcityvarcity · Today 17:52

I am not puritanical about alcohol at all and certainly would have a glass of wine in the evening but half a bottle while watching children in the playground is like half a bottle while at work. Not good.

Timeforachange26 · Today 17:05

pictoosh · Today 11:58

Pretty much.

I have noticed that many mumsnet posters have an oddly puritanical attitude to alcohol. I'm not a frequent drinker myself but I get irritated by the sanctimony dished out in response to it.

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Yeah would've loved the prohibition in america

LowlandLucky · Today 16:20

Cuttertheduck · Today 02:21

You have never come across a Biergarten (beer garden) in Germany? 🙄

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Yes i did but i never felt the need to take my children there.

Pallisers · Today 16:05

LemonCloudsLucy · Today 03:21

Because unlikely that someone stops at a can of lager. So more likely someone chugging Tennants will drink more than one. So more alcohol overall.

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So many questions. Why would someone be unable to stop at can of lager? Why does one chug Tennants but drink wine? Why does half a bottle of wine (presuming the mummies go halfsies) have less alcohol than 2 cans of Tennants (chugged not drunk).

pictoosh · Today 11:58

Floatlikeafeather2 · Today 11:07

So never for most parents then?

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Pretty much.

I have noticed that many mumsnet posters have an oddly puritanical attitude to alcohol. I'm not a frequent drinker myself but I get irritated by the sanctimony dished out in response to it.

Floatlikeafeather2 · Today 11:07

kombuchabucha · 16/10/2026 14:20

I would be surprised to see a parent drinking alcohol in the park. I personally dont drink. I know many of the parents of the children at our local school like a drink, but I've never seen any of them drinking in the park (we go most days after school from half 3 til half 4ish).

Probably an unpopular opinion but I personally don't think anyone who's got responsibility of a child should be drinking whilst they're in their care - at the park, at the pub or at home.

So never for most parents then?

pictoosh · Today 10:57

Cherrytree86 · Today 10:09

The issue is that they cannot be fully present and unlikely to be able to engage in educational and stimulating conversations with their children after boozing.

My eyes just rolled out of my head and along the floor.
Good grief.

BadLad · Today 10:36

jamimapuddlejump · 16/10/2026 13:57

I’m not judging, my first thought was there’s no toilet in this park and I know after the first glass I’d have to go and find a loo but maybe that’s just me.

This disingenuous bollocks is one of the funniest things I've read on here.

Ladygodalmighty · Today 10:16

Timeforachange26 · Today 10:11

How does all this " driving" stuff work if the parent doesn't have a car or licence? Because whatever they do surely the parent who has had the glass of wine can do

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It's interesting that you choose to note the "unable to drive" aspect of consuming alcohol when caring for children and not the "Children move fast and get into unpredictable situations (choking, falling, allergic reactions, sudden injury). Even small amounts of alcohol slow reaction times and dull situational awareness." ????

Timeforachange26 · Today 10:15

Cherrytree86 · Today 10:09

The issue is that they cannot be fully present and unlikely to be able to engage in educational and stimulating conversations with their children after boozing.

Ffs can't kids just play amongst themselves without it having to be " educating and stimulating"

Wonder how all previous generations got on as parents didn't tend to be constantly entertaining the kids. Kids were expected to entertain the self without constantly being educated and stimulated

Timeforachange26 · Today 10:11

Ladygodalmighty · Today 09:18

Children move fast and get into unpredictable situations (choking, falling, allergic reactions, sudden injury). Even small amounts of alcohol slow reaction times and dull situational awareness.

If an emergency arises—or if plans change—a drinking caregiver loses the legal and safe ability to drive the child to a hospital or home.

If one parent drinks "moderately", another fully alert, sober adult should be available to manage driving, medical emergencies, and active supervision.

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How does all this " driving" stuff work if the parent doesn't have a car or licence? Because whatever they do surely the parent who has had the glass of wine can do

Cherrytree86 · Today 10:09

The issue is that they cannot be fully present and unlikely to be able to engage in educational and stimulating conversations with their children after boozing.

Ladygodalmighty · Today 09:18

Erin1975 · 16/10/2026 14:35

It is perfectly normal behaviour. Go down to any busy park on a hot day and you will see loads of people sitting around eating and drinking. It doesn't mean they are getting wasted or causing trouble.

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Children move fast and get into unpredictable situations (choking, falling, allergic reactions, sudden injury). Even small amounts of alcohol slow reaction times and dull situational awareness.

If an emergency arises—or if plans change—a drinking caregiver loses the legal and safe ability to drive the child to a hospital or home.

If one parent drinks "moderately", another fully alert, sober adult should be available to manage driving, medical emergencies, and active supervision.

Puffin69 · Today 08:16

RandomUserName12345 · 16/10/2026 14:22

So no drinking for 18-30 years? Wow.

Nobody is pissed drinking a glass of wine or a drink.

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I am noticeably affected by one glass of wine or one can of beer. As a result I don't drink.

Scarcityvarcity · Today 08:15

LemonCloudsLucy · Today 03:21

Because unlikely that someone stops at a can of lager. So more likely someone chugging Tennants will drink more than one. So more alcohol overall.

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I'm not sure it is true at all that lager drinkers consume more alcohol than wine drinkers.

LemonCloudsLucy · Today 03:21

Itsallpoison · Yesterday 17:31

Tennent's Super: Typically has an ABV of 7.5% (previously 8% to 9% in some markets).
Standard Wine: Usually ranges from 12% to 16% ABV.

Why is wine better? Because rich people drink it?

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Because unlikely that someone stops at a can of lager. So more likely someone chugging Tennants will drink more than one. So more alcohol overall.

LemonCloudsLucy · Today 03:19

Cla7 · 16/10/2026 14:02

Genuine question, what exactly is the concern? That they get too drunk to supervise the children? That the children might get a sip from the bottle? That they set a bad example? None of these would even remotely concern me, I’m well able to limit my alcohol intake, I can supervise my child to avoid them getting in touch with alcohol, and I don’t see an issue with modelling responsible drinking to children.

Exactly.

And as our parents are not around forever. What a lovely afternoon for the mum and grandma. Enjoy each others company while the primary aged kids (not toddlers!) had fun too!

life is much more pleasant if you see the good in situations not the bad.

Cuttertheduck · Today 02:21

LowlandLucky · Yesterday 20:09

I spent decades as a military wife and there was a huge culture of drinking but not once did i ever come across any other wife sitting in the park boozing, not even in Germany where wine was cheaper that diet coke.
No i don't think it is perfectly normal behaviour at all. If you can't go without a drink when you are in charge of children you have a problem.

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You have never come across a Biergarten (beer garden) in Germany? 🙄

SemiRetiredLoveGoddeess · Today 02:12

A tale from present day Merry England?

EmeraldShamrock000 · Yesterday 23:29

Timeforachange26 · Yesterday 23:27

How would you know what class the women drinking the wine in the park were?

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I don’t.
I live in a working class area. I never see women drinking wine in the local park.

Timeforachange26 · Yesterday 23:27

EmeraldShamrock000 · Yesterday 23:14

I am on the fence as it isn’t really about causing a riot. A lot of people I know drink socially. It isn’t frowned upon as they have a good lifestyle, that revolves around alcohol but they have a nice house, a fancy car, if they were working class they’d be judged differently.
It is a glimpse into wine o clock or bbq day, park outing, any opportunity to have a few socially, finish a bottle at home.
If it is just a social one off it is fine,
Usually the person suggesting bringing a bottle has a problem.

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How would you know what class the women drinking the wine in the park were?

EmeraldShamrock000 · Yesterday 23:14

Runnermumof2 · Yesterday 21:07

Sounds like a fab afternoon! As long as they aren't steaming drunk and causing a riot, there's no issue at all.

I am on the fence as it isn’t really about causing a riot. A lot of people I know drink socially. It isn’t frowned upon as they have a good lifestyle, that revolves around alcohol but they have a nice house, a fancy car, if they were working class they’d be judged differently.
It is a glimpse into wine o clock or bbq day, park outing, any opportunity to have a few socially, finish a bottle at home.
If it is just a social one off it is fine,
Usually the person suggesting bringing a bottle has a problem.

boomboombooom · Yesterday 23:00

I’m assuming this was on a Thursday afternoon, so yes, I do think that’s strange. A lot of people in this country are high functioning alcoholics.

Bowies · Yesterday 22:58

If it was a glass of wine with a picnic and take the rest of the bottle home, fine. Sharing the whole bottle while in charge of young DC is a hard no.

ForCalmScroller · Yesterday 22:53

If i see people drinking in a park i would assume they have a drinking problem that they cant go for a few hours without a drink