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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Wine in school?

54 replies

Soapysuds64 · 27/11/2013 23:45

Year 6 are having a small Christmas show, and the teacher wants to provide mince pies and wine for the parents. Thing is, it will be at 2.30 in the afternoon, with plenty of parents needing to drive home or go to after school activities. I know it is up to the school to make these decisions, but should they really be providing alcohol in the afternoon like this? What would your school do? Can't decide if I am being too 'Bah Humbug'

OP posts:
YouTheCat · 27/11/2013 23:47

Presumably the grown ups are grown up enough to decide whether to have a small glass of wine or not?

DamnBamboo · 27/11/2013 23:48

Is this for real?
I mean, are you seriously suggesting that this is a problem?

Original poster
Soapysuds64 · 27/11/2013 23:56

Fair enough. I'm aware that the culture in a lot of workplaces is changing, and that drinking at lunchtime is becoming a lot less common. Just a bit surprised that it isn't the same in schools. Not a big thing, I know, just wondered if it was me!

OP posts:
Still18atheart · 27/11/2013 23:58

I would have thought it was fine so long as a non alcoholic option was available i.e fruit juice

DamnBamboo · 28/11/2013 00:00

What do you think will happen OP.
That everyone will get rip-roaring drunk and take their clothes off? Or that a few adults may have a tiny glass of wine and chat and move along quietly, perfectly able to function?

SilverApples · 28/11/2013 00:00

The majority of schools I know do mince pies and mulled wine/wine at Christmas productions and fairs. It's about catering to adults.
Unless you'd like alcohol to be banned everywhere between certain hours?

msmoss · 28/11/2013 00:09

YABBH

Although if it does all get a bit out of control after a couple of plastic cups of warm plonk please do come back and spill,the beans.

LadyCelia · 28/11/2013 00:12

Ha ha ha. Love a Christmas Troll.....

Arcadian · 28/11/2013 00:12

Lol. Id deffo be drinking the wine! How thoughtful of the school :)

Retroformica · 28/11/2013 08:18

Can you suggest mulled wine made with low alcohol wine?

WooWooOwl · 28/11/2013 08:21

Non issue.

Adults are able to make their own decisions about whether they can have a small glass of school provided wine or not.

echt · 28/11/2013 08:23

Schools providing alcohol. Not like they're forcing it down the necks of the parents.

May I be the first to point out the amazing holidays these pissed-up pedagogues have?

schoolchauffeur · 28/11/2013 08:23

DS school has carol service on last day of term which finishes at 11.30 ish and while the kids pack up their stuff parents have mulled wine and mince pies and sausage rolls. Fruit juice and tea/coffee also available. I always have to drive home, but I usually have a taster sized half a small wine glass and move on to coffee.
I think most people will judge what is appropriate for them but will like the gesture even if they can't share it as long as softies available.

Sparkles23 · 28/11/2013 08:24

I think most grown adults are capable of deciding whether they want a glass of wine or not and if they're driving they'll presumably just not have one or v small glass! Don't see a problem! My son's pre-school are serving mulled wine and mince pies at the parents evening/meet the teachers type thing in a couple of weeks, I think it's a lovely idea

SomethingkindaOod · 28/11/2013 08:24

Which school?
YABU, parents are presumably adults and will be aware that they have responsibilities rather than just getting pissed at a Christmas concert. Don't worry about it.

MissMarplesBloomers · 28/11/2013 08:24

If you have mulled wine & warm it thoroughly most of the alcoholic content will be evaporated anyway & I'm sure the other adults will be able to self monitor!

CaterpillarCara · 28/11/2013 08:25

I think the grown-ups can decide for themselves - they will surely know if they are driving. I often take the bus to school events, so would quite enjoy a glass of wine at 2:30 pm. (not every day, mind, but on a special occasion)

2:30 pm is not lunchtime and I bet the serving sizes are tiny.

CaterpillarCara · 28/11/2013 08:27

When I was on the PTA we made the mulled wine. It was in the urns for the whole length of the concert (so much of the alcohol was boiled off). It was also heavily diluted with orange juice to make the profits go further. We probably could have just about given it to the kids. (DISCLAIMER - I am joking!!)

quirrelquarrel · 28/11/2013 08:46

this thread is fab, thanks for the laugh OP Grin

i do hope the mince pies will be brandy free.

CaroBeaner · 28/11/2013 08:48

OP, how is your French? I dare you to go and post this in a French site!

Apart from anything else how else do you think parents can endure a badly rehearsed barely audible display of kids wandering over the stage looking embarrassed and swaying from side to side?

I expect people going back to work or driving will decline the offer of a glass of wine. Or are the teachers planning to make it compulsory, like eating your school dinner greens?

Wine and beer have always been on offer at our school and PTA events - responsible for many of the proceeds!

Gileswithachainsaw · 28/11/2013 08:50

Which school is this?

I'm sure the parents can limit themselves accordingly. They are adults after all. The words "no thank you" exist for this reason.

Heathcliff27 · 28/11/2013 08:51

Well I think our school is BVVU not to supply wine to us!! Time to join the PTA and give them a shake up

bigTillyMint · 28/11/2013 08:55

When I first started teaching, back in the dark ages 80's, the HT insisted that we all (teaching staff) sit down together for lunch and we all HAD to have a glass of wine or she was not happy!Shock

FWIW, she was a very experienced Head and the school would have been Ofsted outstanding had they existed back in the day!

intitgrand · 28/11/2013 09:01

yanbu- the school should not be encouraging the parents to drink if most need to drive their dc afterwards.

mrsjay · 28/11/2013 09:04

never had wine at any school things i went too and i could have had 2 cos i don't drive Grin

OP do you not think parents are grown up enough to not drink and drive most are