to drink mineral water at lunchtime for fear of being Judged

[DilysPrice]

I'm incredibly fortunate to have a good job working 9am-1pm. I pick up the kids at 3:30pm, which, after commuting etc, leaves me a bit of time free every day.
Sometimes I go out to lunch with workmates, either as simple socialising, or for an actual working lunch.
Most people drink beer or wine at these dos, but I always stick to the mineral water, partly because my tolerance for alcohol is very low, and I don't actually fancy it at lunchtime, but also because I think that if I turn up at the school gates with alcohol on my breath I will get judged to high heaven by the teachers and other parents.

The other day my workmates mocked me for my paranoia, but actually I don't think I'm that paranoid, I think it's a real risk. I think I probably would judge another mum who smelled of alcohol in the playground.
What do people think? Teachers? Parents? Would you judge?
I'm not going to change my ways anyway, because there's no reason to, but I'd like to know whether you think I'm being too cautious.

If you dont fancy it I cant see the problem with sticking to mineral water. I would anyway.

I think you are paranoid.

Golly - one glass of wine at lunchtime occasionally is fine.

If it was everyday and you were seen holding your can of special brew in the playground - well I'd be a bit judgey then.

Yes, I think some would be judgemental.

I wouldn't be.

I think you are being too cautious - but then I often have a glass of wine (or large can of cider ) at lunch time - gives me strength to cope with my DS after school ! And I drink alone - judge away.

You could always suck a strong mint after your drink ! Cheers.

Presumably if you are drinking little enough so you can drive, its unlikely you'd smell that strongly of alcohol. It might be that you dont drive to get home or to get the children so that might be irrelevant.

You probably wouldn't get judged if there was a slight whiff on you from time to time. Particularly if you were dressed well and look like you've been "out to lunch" and weren't slurring or anything. There are more factors than simply smelling of it.

Whereas if you staggered up to the school gates with stringy hair in your yoga pants and red wine stains down your t-shirt most days stinking, different story!

Yes, I did half consider having a glass of very nice wine with a posh meal the other day, but off-setting it by not changing, and going to the playground in my suit.

i think it's a little paranoid to worry about other mums/teachers in the playground, but all the other reasons you give sound valid. so on balance, YANBU!

I wouldnt drink anything if I was driving.

I think you are paranoid to think anyone is going to give a damn if you have a drink with lunch. If someone did give even the begginings of a damn, they are clearly mental and best avoided.

Of course you don't have to if you don't want to but that is a weird idea.

Given that my lunch companions are also the mothers of kids in DS1's class we can all judge each other!

Ah well, I'm paranoid then (I don't drive so that doesn't apply). Never mind.

do you drive after the lunches? I know that there is an official limit but personally think that driving after any drink, esp if you have a low tolerance, is nt a good idea, even mor eso if you are negociating the hoards of kids swarming around at school pick up. If someone got out of a car at school pick up smelling of alcohol then I'd think it a bit off but if you walk after a lunch time social drink then I'd probably just be a bit jealous :)

How will you smell of alcohol after a glass of wine. Do you pour it over yourself and absorb it through osmosis?

a woman at my dd's pre-school smells of booze 3/4 of the time. I'm not sure what to think. It does make me judge, sorry.

If you dont drive then a glass of wine is fine, if someone turned up sloshed at school then I would be a bit