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Original poster

Drinking while sole charge of DC

64 replies

WayWithWords · 15/03/2017 20:48

What would you think about someone who drunk 2 bottles of wine at night (and possibly some G&Ts too) while in sole charge of their 3-year-old DC?

Drinking once DC had gone to bed, but the only adult in the house that night. No adult there in the morning either, so responsible for getting up with DC in the morning and entertaining them for the day.

OP posts:

MsMarvel · 15/03/2017 20:50

I would think that is far too much. But that's because I would be very very drunk on that amount of alcohol. But I'm guessing most people would be.

Launderetta · 15/03/2017 20:51

Obviously it sounds excessive in the extreme, OP; has the person accepted they have alcohol problems?

Was it your child, or yourself?

Crispbutty · 15/03/2017 20:51

I would think if a person drank that every night they had a serious alcohol problem. If it was a one off I would think it stupid and irresponsible to drink that much as that quantity of alcohol would render a person practically unconscious and unable to care for themselves never mind a young child.

theaveragewife · 15/03/2017 20:52

Wayyyyy too much! And quite sad to be drinking alone like that too.

BackforGood · 15/03/2017 20:52

In charge of dc or not, I would be very worried about a person drinking that quantity.

Original poster

WayWithWords · 15/03/2017 20:52

This person is a heavy drinker. Which is not to say they'd be unaffected after 2 bottles, but not under the table as other people would likely be.

OP posts:

Onlyaplasticbagdear · 15/03/2017 20:53

Wow that's a crazy amount. I'd be passed out if I even had one bottle let alone two.

pointythings · 15/03/2017 20:53

That's 20+ units of alcohol at a sitting - I'd be in hospital on that, as would most people. If this is a regular thing it's a sign of major alcohol problems.

Original poster

WayWithWords · 15/03/2017 20:54

Not me, and not my child. But someone I'm close to. This person does not accept they have an alcohol problem.

OP posts:

FauxPasty · 15/03/2017 20:54

I'd think it was worrying even without a child. With DC? Totally irresponsible and negligent.

FauxPasty · 15/03/2017 20:55

OP have you posted before about this person?

statetrooperstacey · 15/03/2017 20:55

Depends what their tollerance is really, I would b on my arse and probably not capable of dealing with an emergency after two bottles of 'proper wine' some people would b ok. If the bottles were the 7.5 % stuff though I could probably handle two and b fine. Hard to say really. Many people will shake their head at not being g able to drive to a& e if needed but that is what a taxi is for!

Original poster

WayWithWords · 15/03/2017 20:56

This is a fairly regular thing. 2 bottles of wine (sometimes plus other stuff) at weekends. 1 bottle of wine (plus pints or stiff G&Ts) most week nights.

OP posts:

nicetoseeyoutoseeyounice · 15/03/2017 20:57

TBH that's quite a shocking amount to drink when solely responsible for a child. What if there was a medical emergency? How would that look turning up to the hospital blind drunk with a child? Or if you need to see to the child during the night? Definitely won't be capable of looking after a child after that amount of alcohol. I just wouldn't risk it. Has your partner done this? I would go nuts if my fiancé did this!

Original poster

WayWithWords · 15/03/2017 20:59

Haven't posted about this before, FaxuPasty.

I know it's negligent.

Trying to establish whether if this came out in a separation or with lawyers etc, it would result in getting no or restricted access to DC.

OP posts:

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 15/03/2017 21:01

Two bottles of wine and gin in one night is hazardous drinking, add the responsibility of looking after a child in the house and it's fucking shocking.

akwan · 15/03/2017 21:01

I have friends who would do this when it's their night (partner around) but more Like one bottle and several g and ts

akwan · 15/03/2017 21:02

And on a weekend

Oblomov17 · 15/03/2017 21:02

Negligent?
Really?
A couple could go to a party, drink quite a bit come home and the babysitter leaves.
That happens quite a bit, occasionally, for normal couples, surely?

MadeForThis · 15/03/2017 21:04

It's dangerous to look after a child if they have drank that much. Especially if it's a regular thing.
What if there was an emergency? If the child was ill? Or if the drunk person injured themselves?
It's against the law to be that intoxicated when in sole charge of a child.

balia · 15/03/2017 21:05

Why not post in legal? There are some really knowledgeable people over there. Just going on personal experience, though, I'm not sure it would be a bar to access.

Oblomov17 · 15/03/2017 21:06

What about a sole parent, who drinks during the day at a party, BBQ, or pub lunch and then walks home. With the children?

or even a couple, together, who both drink, whilst children there with them, at the above party or BBQ or christening or wedding etc?

Original poster

WayWithWords · 15/03/2017 21:06

Lots of people have surely been out with a partner and both gotten very drunk on the odd occasion. Obviously not ideal, but it happens.

But in my mind, it's different when you are the only person in the house.

Plus, you're not going out to a party, you're sitting home alone.

OP posts:

Oblomov17 · 15/03/2017 21:08

Dh and I had an all day party - BBQ for all our friends and their children. Everyone walked home, with their children, having consumed various amounts of alcohol, from none to lots.

This does happen to others, surely?

ImFuckingSpartacus · 15/03/2017 21:09

Thats a lot even for me, and I'm a pretty big drinker.

I don't see a problem with having a few drinks while being in charge of children, but not that much. Someone drinking that much has a serious problem anyway.
Having been in the situation (more than once) of being drunk and having an emergency with a child, you sober up very fast in my experience.

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