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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Drinking on a school trip?

333 replies

Flower64 · 03/09/2019 16:19

I contacted my child's school after a camping trip to ask about the teachers drinking on one of the evenings. My child said there was a lot of laughing, screeching and in her opinion the teachers were drunk. She's 13 so not a young child and I think she'd recognise someone drinking. I got an email reply today and part of it says "some staff did stay up later than the children one night, but at no point were any staff drunk. As an additional precaution two staff members consumed no alcohol at all".

AIBU to surmise then that the remaining staff members did have a drink - but in their opinion they weren't drunk - and is this actually acceptable? I don't think any teachers should be drinking on a school trip but now I am doubting myself and looking for opinions please!

OP posts:
SignedUpJust4This · 03/09/2019 19:05

They're not in work. They happen to be staying in the same place so they can take over in the morning but the 2 staff on duty are in charge.

mamaofboyss · 03/09/2019 19:08

I don't drink alcohol but I don't see the issue with them having a drink. How embarrassing for you and your child and no teacher is ever going to want to take your child on a trip again! You really will be seen as "that" parent 😒

saraclara · 03/09/2019 19:08

The teachers were socialising while the children were in bed. They were absolutely entitled to do so in any legal and reasonable way, ensuring that they were all capable of dealing with an emergency and that at least two were fit to drive.

There was no reason for them not to have a beer or two or a glass of wine, if that's how they wanted to socialise. They weren't told that they couldn't drink, so there was no reason for them not to.

They were responsible for the pupils, but not working with them. You might as well say that they shouldn't sleep because they're 'at work'.

guest2013 · 03/09/2019 19:09

@mbosnz massive assumption that I'm somehow a lazy parent?! And stop with the bloody crap about unpaid.. I work unpaid a fucking lot and manage not to crack the wine until I'm on my time. Grow up.

Sparklesocks · 03/09/2019 19:09

guest2013 I don’t think it’s pathetic at all and you’re being quite harsh. They’re human beings, not saintly robots. They are looking after large numbers of excited kids, unpaid, away from home - having a drink or two to unwind after a long day is hardly the crime of the century. People do the same on business trips in other professions.

CaptainMyCaptain · 03/09/2019 19:09

You expect teachers to be on duty 24 hours a day with no off time when they might choose to have a glass of wine? For no pay?

It's not the alcohol that's the problem (doing without for a couple of nights wouldn't be a problem for me) it's the complete lack of gratitude shown by some on here.

mamaofboyss · 03/09/2019 19:10

And also the ridiculous comment about children living with alcoholic parents shouldn't have to see teachers drinking? But they didn't see them drinking!

BackforGood · 03/09/2019 19:11

If a teacher drank and could no longer act as a responsible adult then that ratio no longer holds.

Why would having a glass of wine or bottle of beer mean you can no longer behave like a responsible adult ? Confused

Where has OP got to ?

mbosnz · 03/09/2019 19:12

@mbosnz massive assumption that I'm somehow a lazy parent?! And stop with the bloody crap about unpaid.. I work unpaid a fucking lot and manage not to crack the wine until I'm on my time. Grow up

Didn't say that you specifically were a lazy parent - you inferred it. Most defensive. As others have pointed out - they're on their own time. Take your own advice.

BasilTheGreat · 03/09/2019 19:15

@ItsGoingTibiaK Can you please outline how you and, if applicable, your partner ensure that you ensure, at all times, that neither of you have any alcohol in your system at any time while you are responsible for your child

We don’t drink at all! Grin

MrMeSeeks · 03/09/2019 19:15

Interesting to see how most people on this thread just assume that drinking tops all, everyone does it and if you don’t agree your a twat. It’s a blight on society and many many peoples and children’s living nightmare. I was one of those children and I’m prods that my children live in an “alcohol free bubble” smile

I’m very sorry it clearly had an effect on you, it doesn't mean that every person goes from 1-2 drinks to drunk though Hmm
Some people are capable of Having a drink but not getting slaughtered...

Ginger1982 · 03/09/2019 19:18

What's your problem?

ItsGoingTibiaK · 03/09/2019 19:21

@BasilTheGreat We don’t drink at all!

Good to know. But why on Earth have you assumed my question to the OP was aimed at you?

BasilTheGreat · 03/09/2019 19:22

Well I do as I preach. My my kids would not be going to a trip where alcohol is allowed. Luckily the school agreed so it hasn’t been an issue. The school trips haven’t stopped either, they went as usual this year. Smile

ShirleyPhallus · 03/09/2019 19:27

@sparklesocks because it's a bit pathetic to not be able to go without alcohol when you're in work. There's plenty of holidays and all weekend to do that. Do it with your own kids

So if you went away on a conference for a few days would you expect never to have a drink in the evening cos that’s on “work time”?

BasilTheGreat · 03/09/2019 19:28

@ItsGoingTibiaK Good to know. But why on Earth have you assumed my question to the OP was aimed at you?
Because its an open forum and anyone can take part. If you want s private conversation send a om.

BasilTheGreat · 03/09/2019 19:28

*pm

saraclara · 03/09/2019 19:31

@BasilTheGreat.at least you don't send your kids (poor kids though). The OP however did take advantage of the teachers giving up their time for her daughter, then had them greeted with a complaint via their boss when they got back to work.

Contraceptionismyfriend · 03/09/2019 19:33

NSPCC recommendations state that ”If you are travelling in a vehicle it is recommended that there is one adult driving and one adult supervising the children”

Well that's the biggest load of BS ever.

I'm usually the only adult in the car. And my DH got me to learn to drive so he could have a drink and I could drive now and again.

BananasAreTheSourceOfEvil · 03/09/2019 19:44

Anyone putting up with a large group of teenagers deserves all the wine imo!

Canonization for the two abstaining.

LowlyHandMaiden · 03/09/2019 19:44

NSPCC recommendations state that ”If you are travelling in a vehicle it is recommended that there is one adult driving and one adult supervising the children

Well, that's an awful lot of us sunk, then. Grin

Procrastination4 · 03/09/2019 20:00

Flowers64, you sound absolutely obnoxious and your daughter seems to be following in your footsteps. I never drink alcohol, but can enjoy myself without it and when out with colleagues relaxing, would be guilty of “laughing and screeching”.
Get over yourself and stop being so incredibly judgmental.

TaskMistress · 03/09/2019 20:03

YANVU

Procrastination4 · 03/09/2019 20:03

Besides, this isn’t the first time there has been a thread with this theme. Some parents have precious little to trouble them, it would seem, and seem to think an overnight trip with school children is some kind of treat.

Dangermouse37 · 03/09/2019 20:09

We were once accused of being drunk at a school function because we were laughing, joking and playing tricks on each other. The fact was we were all very good friends and still see each other as a group at least once a month even though we haven't worked together for 7 or 8 years. We've been on holidays together etc. One person was sacked as a result of the parental complaint where there was no blame on her behalf. That person never worked in education again. She was devastated and at no point was she drunk.