is it unacceptable to take 3 kids under ten

[billybonbon]

to a pub from 2pm in the afternoon till about 8 at night and drink hard spirits

And I’m not being puritanical. I like a drink! One Christmas Day I got quite merry on Prosecco, but there were other adults around who were not drinking, and it was a one off.

But normalising all day drinking around kids is harmful and unsafe.
I agree.

I used to drink but am teetotal now, but have no issues with alcohol when consumed in moderation and responsibly.

I do have an issue with normalising all day drinking around children and sending the message that if adults want a drink it's fine to take the best part of a child's weekend off them so they adults can sit around having a drink.

Plus what a depressing message to send to children that the best thing you can think of to do with them is to sit in a pub for 6 hours?

@billybonbon

You're not over reacting.

The child told you because it bothered them.

I would also contact social services.

The children are not this person's priority. Drinking comes first.

Was there driving involved too?

historically the child contact has been them being left with a family member they did not know without dad or his partner. Which I stoped and then again being taken to parties which I have clearly stated they do not like

Yeah, this man doesn't want to parent. He has other fish to fry.

The trick will be persuading him that quality of time and not quantity matters when it comes to seeing the child. SOme people don't want to parent but spit nails at the thought of some right being taken away from them or having their parenting questioned. It's all about them and not at all about the best interests of the child.

Is the current contact arrangement court ordered?

The best interests of the child are not necessarily served by contact with a parent who doesn't actually parent, who puts other interests ahead of the parent-child responsibility.

Good luck getting social services interested.

There would have been enough witnesses in the pub of your ex's behaviour. The alcohol license holder also values their license and their other customers.