Legal amount to drink with children in the house?

[MBRE]

Just that really. Once the kids are in bed, asleep, if I want a G&T or a glass of wine is that legal whilst still "in charge" of the children if their DF is out? What's the limits etc if the police were turn up and breathalyse me? Are they even allowed to do that? So all kids asleep, over the age of three but two under five, two older ones over ten. What's the actual law around this? Anyone know?

Presumably you managed not to drink for 9 months while you were pregnant with each of your children so you know you can do it. 💪

Hmm I suspect there is MUCH more to this than meets the eye! 🤔

Yes, I can't help but imagine that social services has made their concerns, and their expectations concerning OP's behaviour, exceedingly clear.

Sorry for laughing 😂 but how are you even concerned about this. There’s no legal limit. Of course it’s fine to have a drink with your dinner or a G&T. Obviously getting blind drunk wouldn’t be wise. I’ve only ever heard this concern about drinking with children on here, I’m surely you would just go about your evening as normal, if you have a glass of wine with dinner usually, you can still have a glass of wine when on your own etc.

It's not malicious if it is true. It kinda crazy that social services placed a child with you and then had to take them away again 5 hours later because you were deemed unfit due to being intoxicated.

@MBRE You have given several different versions of the amount you drink.

Why not come back and be totally honest about what's going on and then people may be able to give you honest advice based on genuine circumstances?

For you? None, because it seems you have an alcohol problem.

This is such an odd story. I suspect when the OP says 'one' (or later, 'one or two') G&Ts, those G&Ts are poured with a heavy hand. So even if there are only one or two drinks, the amount of alcohol is significant. The police/SW would not be interested in a parent drinking a pub measure of gin.

Why would a child that came for a sleep over be removed by social services ? Does not make any sense. If it was that straight forward the parents would just take the child surely

Oh dear.

OP, who was this child that was left in your care? If it was your DC's friend that came over for a sleepover, the fact that they were removed means there's something fairly significant you've neglected to mention.

As for the 'appearing drunker than you are because of medication'......I think we both know a serious reevaluation of your life choices is needed.

Just...dont drink?

If the other parent of my children was drinking while they were in their care, I'd be furious.

Naivety encapsulated.

No. It was a similar story. She had kids in her care I believe were fostered and someone rang them about drinking.

@Cerealkiller4U that's different then. She will be being paid to have those children in her care. Children who will have already suffered some level of trauma.

Ok, I will come back, yes, to those that asked, I go a week without alcohol regularly, don't consider I have a problem. Have a history of abuse from ex's, even family members, raising "concerns" with welfare checks in the past when all I've done is not engage with them. The child removed was placed in my care I formally and temporarily (their parent had been arrested) but it took five hours for them to be removed, by which time the whole house was asleep so that was uncalled for and I have since had an apology from the police and social care. Due to the allegations that have now moved to my work place, thank fuck they have my back as in I turn up and do a professional job, in fact, my manager can't believe how I'm holding it together considering everything that's been thrown at me. I was simply concerned that if I have a glass of wine or whatever it may be, I could be questioned for no reason other than an allegation from someone anonymous. Four allegations in two weeks from an anonymous source and not once has anyone been to check on my kids so they can't be that concerned can they?! I wrote this is a panic state wondering what the hell powers they have, not because I'm always too intoxicated to look after my kids but what can be used given they have no evidence but continue to take these allegations and (half) act upon them. It was a question more of what conduct can happen than what can I do legally I guess. As I say, been in receipt of abuse in the past and panicked

Not saying the OP should be drinking because it very much sounds like she shouldn't, but is no one really allowed to drink at all around your dc? Mine are at their dads currently but I'd be having the same 2-3 glasses of Friday night wine even if they weren't. Why would you be furious?

I work in this field. Yes a few drinks is ok aslong as your still capable of caring for the children and can respond in an emergency. However not every night as this is a problem.

If a parent is heavily intoxicated whilst caring for children then the children can be removed until there is further assessment. If children are placed at risk whilst the parents are intoxicated such as young baby left unattended or children found wandering the streets then the parent can be charged with child cruelty. Parent with alcoholism who neglects the children and home can be charged with child cruelty. the Police have in my experience breathalysed parents to get some sort of measurement of how drunk they are to feed back to social services and this was in the fsmily home.

I'm not sure this is 100% true.

It's illegal to be drunk in charge of a child in a public place.

You can get shitfaced every night at home without the police getting involved.

@ZanyFox what I advised was some recent examples of cases I've been involved with. Believe it or not.

If my DC are in their sole care, no. Thankfully, I have only ever left them with my parents or DH, none of whom drink. I just don't agree with it. I don't drink, I hate the drinking culture, I don't think people in charge of children should be drinking alcohol at all. That's my opinion, and I know people don't share it, but at least I know my children are always with a responsible, coherent adult who could drive in an emergency.

What about non drivers or people without a car?

Presumably they'd do what they would have to do anyway? But if someone has a car and would rather drink and potentially have to scramble round for a lift in the early hours that's up to them- doesn't sound appealing though.

I don't know of anyone local to me who doesn't have a car.

@WalkingonWheels

I don't drive due to a medical condition, should I not look after my child alone overnight ever?