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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:
ScreamingKid · 08/05/2020 21:23

Because the UK has a very odd relationship with alcohol. Its socially accepted, even expected that you will drink to excess. Fortunately the next generation are wisening up by all accounts.

Bluntness100 · 08/05/2020 21:32

The level of defensiveness on this thread is very interesting

Now there is judgey pants and then there is this,🤣

user1487194234 · 08/05/2020 21:35

I would probably drink less if I didn't have kids
Who are actually fine tonight
It has been a busy and stressful week
It is the holiday weekend
I shall have a few (more) drinks tonight
If anyone disapproves they can fuck off

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iklboo · 08/05/2020 23:02

Because the UK has a very odd relationship with alcohol. Its socially accepted, even expected that you will drink to excess.

No it's not. Nobody I know now has this mindset. And do people really think only the British drink alcohol?

ScreamingKid · 08/05/2020 23:38

I didn't say only the British drink. But I do think we have a skewed relationship with alcohol. It is so embroiled in our society and encouraged. You only have to look at SM to see how much alcohol intake is encouraged,celebrated and normalised. The average Saturday night in our local town is a nightmare at closing time and it's not alone.

My DH had to stop drinking due to medication and he said it really opened his eyes to the drink culture here.

iklboo · 09/05/2020 01:20

The average Saturday night in our local town is a nightmare at closing time and it's not alone.

To be honest, ours isn't. But where we used to live was. I totally get your point. I apologise for my previous post.

livefornaps · 09/05/2020 01:30

I've just crashed into bed after steadily making my way through 18 cans of budweiser and 4 bottles of prosecco, as displayed and all present and correct in the obligatory whatsapp bragging photo to my fellow piss head friends earlier #whatamilike. As for the kids...I don't remember if I've got any

Doyouavocado · 09/05/2020 01:39

@Chicchicchicchiclana I’m glad I’m not your mate zzz

Dotty02 · 09/05/2020 01:40

Just have to be sensible I guess. Drinks may flow but bet the parents will get up pour cornflakes and make a large coffee! Kids should be asleep now..so long as u are ok for next day or gave a fun pj/dvd day what's up?

BadLad · 09/05/2020 02:24

Budweiser is the shittest beer ever made. Terrible example for the children.

howsicklyarsekissy · 09/05/2020 02:25

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GlummyMcGlummerson · 09/05/2020 02:51

Oh bite off OP. I drank today in charge of children because I wanted to. You're welcome

GlummyMcGlummerson · 09/05/2020 02:51

*bore

PerspicaciaTick · 09/05/2020 02:54

I regularly have a drink, but have miraculously managed to never be drunk in 16 years of parenting. I am not going to become teetotal because the OP can't differentiate between "a drink" and "drunk".

SpaceCadet4000 · 09/05/2020 03:03

Drinking is fine- adults can make choices about this stuff. I don't drink, but my own boundary would be not having a parent available who could legally drive in an emergency.

Having said that, I've been teetotal for the last 3 years and I also moved to the USA in that time period. It's really changed my perception of alcohol culture in the UK.

Especially right now the response to everything in the UK seems to be "pour yourself a big glass of wine- you deserve it!". Ultimately, alcohol is not a good way of dealing with stress, anxiety or other big emotions- it's a depressant which can significantly exaggerate negative emotions, not just when you're drunk too.

1forAll74 · 09/05/2020 03:15

If these people have to post stuff like this, it means that they are thick and stupid, so most likely have no quarms about drinking copious amounts of alcohol in front of any children, or even a vicar, !!

aurynne · 09/05/2020 03:25

I wonder what the reaction of the parents in this thread would be - and their rationale for it - if a babysitter/nanny got as drunk as they consider it acceptable when left in sole charge of their children.

ScreamingKid · 09/05/2020 05:05

Good point

GlummyMcGlummerson · 09/05/2020 05:39

There's some really dumb posts on this thread.

In MN land there seem to be two states - stone cold sober or paralytic. There's a whole world in between where parents can have a few drinks and

  • comfort a sick child
  • get an injured child to hospital
  • stay awake

A vicar? What?! Why wouldn't you drink if front of a vicar? They certainly don't mind giving you wine on a Sunday

And what do people who say "there should always be a sober one to drive" think parents who can't drive do

A babysitter is totally different. If a child was ill or injured the only thing to do is to call a parent home or, if necessary, an ambulance. They aren't the parent, don't know the child like a parent does, doesn't know the times when a child is maybe trying it on or if they're genuinely ill. But actually I wouldn't mind in the least a babysitter of my kids had a drink or two. Christ knows they'd need it.

The attitude toward drink on MN is hilarious. If you have more than a thimble full of wine at any other time than a toast at a wedding, you're a raging alcoholic. Good for you if you're teetotal or hardly drink - doesn't make you more superior than those who do though.

Ronnie27 · 09/05/2020 06:09

I’m more than happy to have a few drinks when my kids are in bed but wouldn’t want to get in a drunken state. Tbf I wouldn’t if the kids weren’t home either but that’s just because I’m too old these days to countenance a hangover, particularly when looking after children. EnvyGrin

littleduckeggblue · 09/05/2020 06:13

Op I agree. People who get drunk while in the care of a child are irresponsible. There's a difference between one glass of alcohol and then getting drunk.

NerrSnerr · 09/05/2020 06:24

@1forAll74 what on earth is wrong about being drunk in front of a vicar? I have been drunk with vicars many times in my life and nothing awful has happened yet!

Makeuptherules · 09/05/2020 06:29

That could have built up over a while. Def don't say anything to them anyway, god that would be a car crash! I try to not concern myself with what others are doing, honestly it's liberating, try it!! Cleanses the soul!

Pinkypie86 · 09/05/2020 06:44

If their kids are newborns or toddlers, I guess that one of them won't be having so much.
You do know that FB is a pile of shite where people brag, and brag a little more.
Just because there's 19 bottles of whatever on the counter - it's just to show Dave and Mary on FB that they're far superior because they only have 11. :/ Don't read so much into things.
I had 3 small glasses of red, whilst out in the garden with the SC today. Am I irresponsible? Definitely bloody not.

Abbyd222 · 09/05/2020 07:05

My kids school has a fun fair every year and sell alcohol to parents! Haha we all have a few drinks whilst kids play teachers join in as long as we aren't getting paro it's fine. Some people really just don't know how to relax in life and have fun. chill out but a big deal unless they are getting very drunk and having a fight and police call out come 2am in the morning. I also went Butlins last year had a few drinks and had a great night. Partner stayed sober though tbh as I don't drink much so it goes yo my head after only a few lol