Drinking in front of kids is perfectly normal for some parents and shocking for others. While nobody would recommend parents getting overly intoxicated with young children nearby, is it okay to have a drink in their presence? It’s a personal parenting decision, but as long as you set healthy boundaries, there shouldn’t be any issues. Make sure that you stay in control and pick a family-friendly location. Be honest with your children if they have questions, and open up a dialogue about safe drinking habits. Finally, know your limits. If it’s difficult to control your drinking, then this is probably not the best idea for you. As with all things in parenting, the decision is really up to you and your own family.
Drinking in Front of Kids: Is It Okay to Consume Alcohol in Front of Youngsters
Stay in Control
If you are drinking in front of kids, the most important thing to remember is to stay in control. You don’t want to overindulge and wind up intoxicated in front of them. Seeing you in this altered state can confuse and frighten young children. But enjoying a delicious wine with dinner is perfectly fine as long as you can stay clear-headed.
Choose the Right Setting
It’s also important to choose the right setting if drinking in front of kids. While a restaurant that serves alcohol is perfectly appropriate, a bar might not be the best option. Try to pick a place that is family-friendly and not overly crowded or loud. You also want to make sure that you aren’t surrounded by highly intoxicated people. Many family-friendly breweries encourage parents to bring children with playground equipment or games.
Be Honest
If you’re drinking in front of kids, they might have questions about alcohol. Don’t try to use scare tactics to warn them off drinking forever, but be honest about the dangers of over-drinking. Opening up a dialogue early about safe drinking habits is a great way to establish trust with your children. It will set the scene early for them to be able to come to you with any questions or concerns they have later about alcohol.
Know Your Limits
Finally, if you plan on drinking in front of kids, it’s important to know your limitations. If you struggle with alcohol abuse, it’s not a good idea to indulge at all. And especially not with young eyes watching. Similarly, if you are not able to stay in control, or are prone to overdrinking, it’s best to stay away from alcohol in front of your children. Only you can know your limits with alcohol, so you have to make the decision that is right for your family.
Drinking in front of kids is perfectly safe and normal as long as you stay in control of yourself. Getting overly intoxicated could be alarming to children, but a drink here or there is perfectly normal. Just make sure that you are being careful and not allowing children access to alcohol. Choose a setting that is family-friendly and not overly rowdy. If your children have questions about alcohol, open the lines of communication and be honest with them. And finally, remember that this is a personal decision. Only you can know if it’s safe for you to be around alcohol and your children. Don’t feel pressured to join in drinking with other adults if it’s not something that you can control. Make the decision that is right for your sobriety and your own family.
