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Original poster

Why get drunk when you have kids in the house?

188 replies

ItchyScratch · 08/05/2020 15:16

Some of you might tell me to keep my nose out.

But scrolling through Facebook today (I really don’t know why I bother seen as it angers me more than it pleases me)

And many couples I know posting their kitchen work tops full of alcohol and how they are going to get drunk today. Couples who have kids.
And obviously it’s lockdown so they are definitely in charge of kids.

It’s taking all my tongue biting not to say something to them. Probably why it makes me let some of the steam off by writing this post. Why would you get drunk when you have kids?

You might say, how do you know they are getting drunk?
Well a couple with a photo of a huge crate of Budweiser and 4 bottles of prosecco amongst spirits are not exactly having a small glass.

It’s neglect.

OP posts:
CodenameVillanelle · 08/05/2020 15:31

Why not?

letsjog · 08/05/2020 15:31

A couple of glasses of wine/bottles of beer or a g&t or two is IMO fine a couple of times a week.

But getting drunk / smashed when there are young DC's around is pretty crap.
I grew up seeing my parents drunk fairly regularly (not daily or anything like that) and I've once had to look after my drunk DM. I've listened to my DFs drunken talk more than I care for and I've had plenty of days where DM was in bed with horrific hangovers / throwing up and so on. Also seen them act quite embarrassingly even if it was withing the four walls of the house.
We were young teens (11-16) and even though it was normality for us at the time it's now soured my view of alcohol and affected my opinion of my DPs.

Now that I have DC's of my own I realise even more how I'd absolutely hate for them to see me in the states I've seen them in and it's affected my opinion even more.
Saying that, I'm not teetotal. But usually never have more that 1-2 drinks maybe once or twice a month.

Drivingdownthe101 · 08/05/2020 15:32

There should always be someone sober to drive in an emergency

24% of households in the UK don’t own a car.

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LST · 08/05/2020 15:33

Hahahahahhahahahahah

Sorry.. that is all

Prontoe · 08/05/2020 15:33

Because you can't get rid of the little blighters these days. Not everyone gets paralytic. Most people are happy drunks. Being around alcohol is not always frightening for children. My happiest memories as a child are of my parents being slightly tipsy!

Nicknacky · 08/05/2020 15:33

Areyousurethatsalright The limit in Scotland is next to nothing so if one of us always has to be able to drive then we can never share a bottle of wine again.

And what if you can’t drive anyway? Can you have a drink then?

NerrSnerr · 08/05/2020 15:34

There should always be someone sober to drive in an emergency,

What about the families who don't have a car?

I don't get drunk in front of my children but I will have a beer when having a meal out, or a drink with friends with children present and I'll probably have a drink tonight when they're in bed.

My husband and I may be over the limit by the time we go to bed if we have a few glasses. If there was an emergency that happened while we were over the limit that didn't need an ambulance we'd manage just as someone would who didn't have a car in the first place.

Sunshineandflipflops · 08/05/2020 15:34

I am a single parent so balls if I’m going to never have a drink just I case I need to drive my kids to hospital.

I would never get stupidly drunk while with them (or without for that matter) but I enjoy a few glasses of wine. I flipping deserve it.

LonginesPrime · 08/05/2020 15:35

You might say, how do you know they are getting drunk?
Well a couple with a photo of a huge crate of Budweiser and 4 bottles of prosecco amongst spirits are not exactly having a small glass.

It sounds like they've bought a stash of booze and set it out on the table and thought it would be fun to post it with a comment - you don't know they're going to drink it all in one go.

The chances are that they've bought enough to last a while, because if you like a drink, surely you're going to stock up rather than drinking all the alcohol you own in one sitting?

At Christmas, I often have quite a lot of wine, etc in the house. I might even send a photo to my dad. But it doesn't mean I'm going to down the lot in one day!

chunkyrun · 08/05/2020 15:35

A few drinks and/or spliffs isn’t neglect ffs.

^^ scrapping the barrel for parenting standards there

HonestOpinion10 · 08/05/2020 15:36

I think it's tongue in cheek and getting in there before others make a joke about it.
Problem drinkers tend to hide it.
Get off FB or mute such posters.

LST · 08/05/2020 15:36

Those who are saying as long as someone can drive.. you do know not everyone can drive or even owns a car don't you..?

Drivingdownthe101 · 08/05/2020 15:37

Well a couple with a photo of a huge crate of Budweiser and 4 bottles of prosecco amongst spirits are not exactly having a small glass

Surely, as people are shopping as little as possible, it’s more likely they’ve bought enough to last a while?

LST · 08/05/2020 15:37

@chunky is isn't neglect alone. Some people neglect their kids without drinking or weed. The things don't go hand in hand

InDubiousBattle · 08/05/2020 15:38

Of course I get drunk with the kids in the house, they live in our bloody house! If I didn't drink with them in the house I wouldn't drink at all which would be madness.
We don't tend to both get pissed, if one of us want s more than a couple the other will stick to just a couple, dp is often not that bothered . We don't drive anyway so that's not an issue, we mostly drink whdn they've gone to bed so no bad examples being set i don't think. When our dc were very small we didn't both drink at the same time but I can't really see the harm now- I can't remember the last time we had to deal with them after bedtime. It's pretty common among our friends, in normal times we'll get together for drinks (we all have kids). Do people really just become teetotal when they have kids (when they wouldn't otherwise be I mean)? Or is it mainly daytime drinking that's got to you Op?

RowenaRavenclawTheSecond · 08/05/2020 15:43

I imagine a lot of them won't actually be getting off their faces to the point you are imagining. Just making a humorous joke for social media.

Having said that though, what about those who don't have cars? Can't drive? Are you saying they're irresponsible too? If not, why? It's the same thing - they can't drive anywhere in an emergency either.

Surely if it's an actual emergency then 999 will be called.

lachy · 08/05/2020 15:46

I've just poured myself a drink, I'm at home with DH and DD, I'm not intending on getting drunk but I'm bloody well going to have at least a couple more.

I'm not a neglectful parent for having a drink, I'm a normal parent.

OhLook · 08/05/2020 15:47

I'm a single parent and sometimes have a couple of glasses of wine when my DD is at home, or have since lockdown anyway. I'm very sure she can't tell any difference in me, I don't roll around on the floor crying or dance naked in the street. What's to be frightened of?

Do people without a car need to stay sober enough to drive I wonder?

DateandTime · 08/05/2020 15:47

Oh FGS, "there should always be someone able to drive". Does that mean only people with a driving licence (and indeed, a car) are fit to have children.

Of course no one should be paralytic drunk in charge of children but, a few drinks, slowly on a sunny afternoon is not that and it's fun. Takes the edge off all the things that make you uptight.

OhLook · 08/05/2020 15:49

This thread is making me want a glass of wine tbh.

iwantitalltobenormal · 08/05/2020 15:50

OP what is your definition of drunk? Because there are many parents on here who would have a couple of glasses of wine or beer after their kids are asleep to wind down and relax and to also enjoy their evening ... if it means they get tipsy , or merry , so fucking what!?

DateandTime · 08/05/2020 15:50

I've got 24 bottles of wine in atm. I did the responsible thing and ordered a delivery, which had minimum spend for free delivery, rather than going to the shop. I'm not going to drink them all today!

CodenameVillanelle · 08/05/2020 15:51

A few drinks or spliffs is only neglect if it actually causes the parent to neglect the children. Otherwise it's not neglect.

GingerPCatt · 08/05/2020 15:51

I can't drive so that means I can get shit faced! Woohoo!!
(grabs bottle of gin)

MrsPear · 08/05/2020 15:53

I can’t get my head round people thinking it is acceptable to take illegal drugs especially smoke them around children Shock seriously ok they are in bed but fumes spread and the house stinks. Why is that ok but smoking a legal cigarette not?!

As for getting drunk no I don’t but have the odd g & t yes I do - they know what it is - they have all stuck a tongue in out curiosity and gone yuk.

So no I don’t agree with getting drunk or taking drugs or smoking round the children. Do I say something no because I’m a wimp and as my dad would say you can’t argue with stupids.