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?

Gwenhwyfar · Today 19:55

Scarcityvarcity · Today 19:45

Obviously not as much but still usually need to be watched IME. If they didn't they could go to the playground by themselves.

Show quote history

I did at that age.

Scarcityvarcity · Today 19:45

Gwenhwyfar · Today 19:39

Obviously it depends on your age and the size of your town/village, but a 7 year old doesn't need to be watched in the same way as a 3 year old.

Show quote history

Obviously not as much but still usually need to be watched IME. If they didn't they could go to the playground by themselves.

Gwenhwyfar · Today 19:39

Scarcityvarcity · Today 19:02

What age did we go to the park by ourselves? My children did by about 9 so I assumed younger than that. If I needed to watch them i wouldn't drink.

Show quote history

Obviously it depends on your age and the size of your town/village, but a 7 year old doesn't need to be watched in the same way as a 3 year old.

Timeforachange26 · Today 19:17

Scarcityvarcity · Today 19:02

What age did we go to the park by ourselves? My children did by about 9 so I assumed younger than that. If I needed to watch them i wouldn't drink.

Show quote history

Maybe the parents are at the park to socialise with each other as well as keeping an eye on the kids. And some neurotic lot would be " taking" 11 year old to the park

Scarcityvarcity · Today 19:02

Gwenhwyfar · Today 18:54

We don't know the age of the children playing in the playground. They may not be toddlers likely to fall off and break something. They may well be the age that many of us were going to the park by ourselves when growing up.

Show quote history

What age did we go to the park by ourselves? My children did by about 9 so I assumed younger than that. If I needed to watch them i wouldn't drink.

Gwenhwyfar · Today 18:54

Scarcityvarcity · Today 18:52

No I'm not. I drink but I don't do it if something requires my concentration and I need to be alert.

Edited

Show quote history

We don't know the age of the children playing in the playground. They may not be toddlers likely to fall off and break something. They may well be the age that many of us were going to the park by ourselves when growing up.

Scarcityvarcity · Today 18:52

Gwenhwyfar · Today 18:16

Actually, you are puritanical.

Show quote history

No I'm not. I drink but I don't do it if something requires my concentration and I need to be alert.

Scarcityvarcity · Today 18:51

Timeforachange26 · Today 18:32

So what if the kids get ill or choke or fall out of bed?

Show quote history

Risks in playground are much higher than risks in bed and more alertness is required.

Timeforachange26 · Today 18:32

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.

So what if the kids get ill or choke or fall out of bed?

Gwenhwyfar · Today 18:16

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.

Actually, you are puritanical.

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.

Show quote history

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? 🙄

Show quote history

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.

Show quote history

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?

Show quote history

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

Show quote history

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.

Show quote history

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.

Show quote history

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.

Show quote history

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.

Show quote history

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