Alcohol at Chuck E Cheese yes or no - What do you think??

[yeartolate]

it's not like they have a happy hour or they have Chuck E himself walking around giving out jello and body shots, for crying out loud!

The floor show could change to Chuckee singing " I'm too sexy for my cheese, too sexy for my cheese it hurts...." Or "Like a vermin, whooo.... touched for the very first time......like a ver-er-er-ermin".......

 

[ashjohnson80]

Just as Toby's Friens said, we never BOTH drink when we are with our child. Heck since I seem to be perpetually pregnant or nursing lately I am not even the one drinking. However, I really don't see the huge deal with serving BEER and WINE at CEC....it's not like they have a happy hour or they have Chuck E himself walking around giving out jello and body shots, for crying out loud!

If he was, I would definatley be hanging out at the Chuck E Cheese.

 

[shortbun]

I think if you go to Chuck E. Cheese, you need the alchohol to dim the pain!

Ok...that was a joke.... nobody go and get all "bunched" up!

I agree and I'm not kidding. Now, I do not drink in front of my child but we do not go to CC either. I've been once and if I ever go back, I may break my rule about no drinking in front of children. You wonder why they would have alcohol on the menu; I wonder about the need for the place at all. It is certainly NOT a real or healthy environment for children or adults.

 

[KimR]

i see nothing wrong with it and I don't get this whole idea of not drinking around children. I don't know, I guess I grew up in an environment where alcohol was no big deal. As a child, I was even allowed a glass of wine with dinner on special occasions. DH and I drink around the kids, and honestly, I've never given it a second thought. It's just another one of those things that adults can do and they can't....just like driving, R-rated movies, voting, etc.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

I
In regards to the info I provided about my students, some of them are alcoholics, as are their parents, but most of them are probably just like your kids, and they continually tell me that they drink underage because alcohol is no big deal as they've been around it since they were babies at places like Chuck E Cheese, kids birthday parties, baptisms, bowling, etc., and that is why it's no big deal to them. Again, I'm not talking about the alcoholic families, but regular families like yours - as an educator I have to take this very seriously, so regardless of whether or not you all agree with my students, they are telling me and consequently you as parents, that seeing alcohol served at all functions has made them equate it with being a required part of society and in fact, many of them say that if they didn't drink, they'd be teased and made fun of.

There are also many children of alcoholics who aren't part of the underage drinking crowd. There will also be kids who blame everyone else including their parents for their choice to drink, because we live in a society where kids hardly take responsibility for anything. I find it hard to believe that the majority of children who watch their parents drink responsibly are turning into teens with a drinking problem. What about all the kids who drink that have non-drinking parents?

As for CEC, I don't think it's a big deal. I've been to many parties at CEC, and have yet to see a drunk parent or anyone for that matter. I seriously doubt that some 5 year old kid is going to see dad having a beer at his CEC party and think "Geez, that's what I need to have a good time!" No, they'll be running around like wild animals playing in the balls and spending their tokens, too busy to even notice.

 

[Nancyg56]

In both instances the teacher is on DUTY! Both of your scenerios are completely ridiculous. It is one thing for a parent watching their own child to have a drink, but completely different if it is a teacher or other childcare provider drinking while on duty! To compare the two is really absurd!

ITA. I do not know of many professions in which it is appropriate to drink while on the job. There is a difference between discussing the merits of allowing alcohol to be served in a CEC and allowing professionals to drink while supervising anothers children.

 

[kristen821]

The problem with the alcohol at cec is that some adults aren't responsible. I have seen a few drunks at cec. It is rare but does happen. I am kind of on the fence with this one, because most adults are responsible and wouldn't get drunk when they have to drive thier kids home, but all it takes is one stupid adult to kill an innocent child, but of course that can happen anywhere so I am really on the fence.

 

[lillygator]

Tiger must be one tired person have to be so "perfect" all the time...what do you do for me time or are you role modeling to yourself?

 

[nana2tots]

I say they shouldn't serve !!!!!!!

 

[jekajekalynn]

When did Showbiz pizza change to Chuck E Cheese?

 

[ryka]

If they're smoking pot around their kids, sounds like we're talking about low income families here and they have bigger problems.

I don't understand this statement. What does being low income have to do with using drugs either around or not around your kids? Are you saying that people with money don't use drugs?

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

Ok...

I was raised in a house where alcohol was not allowed except in cooking and during special occasions. I was not allowed alcohol at all until I was 21 because it was illegal.

So what happened? Binge drinking starting as soon as I was 18 and could stay out all night. I never learned responsible behavior regarding alcohol, and I rebelled big time and I'm really lucky I survived. I did some stupid things, put myself in stupid and dangerous situations.

Looking back I wish my parents had taught me that a glass of wine, or a beer wasn't bad. I'm not an alcoholic by any means but really, alcohol at work would make work so much more enjoyable

 

[RC Fan]

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this topic as I really think the whole issue comes down to removal of rights, which I know is central to being an American. For me, and most other people I know, we don't mind sacrificing or giving up rights here or there if it benefits a greater good and so I'm pretty confident that most of my friends/family who consume alcohol would have no problem in not drinking a beer while playing with their kids at Chuck E Cheese.

Please do agree to disagree! This is the third time you have said that.

Also, don't make this into a Canada vs. US argument! Canadians don't want their rights removed either. I'm Canadian, and I haven't agreed with single thing you have said.

You can climb down off your pedestal at any point now.

 

[froglady]

Getting a little OT here, but I'm surprised at the "no children allowed in restaurants that serve alchohol after 8PM" in Toronto statement!

Since we have travelled to TO in the past with our children, and had planned on going again in the future (DH & I lived there for a year BC) this could change our minds, at least until DS is older.

For instance, last time we arrived at a destination, it was after 8PM but we were all starved, so went out to eat. It would have been awful if we had to search for one that didn't serve alcohol, rather than going to the closest.

I'm glad the rule isn't(wasn't?) in force in Ottowa, as when we went there last May, DS discovered that he LOVES Pub food! He could get his curry fries, listen to Celtic music, and DH could get a great draft.

 

[Microcell]

I have had sooo many run ins with trashy people at Chuck E Cheese that weren't drunk, that I would hate to have to deal with them drunk while trying to give my kids some fun. Also, really, you are at this establishment for the kids, and kids don't need to see drunk people goofing around IMO!


In response to the "Removal of rights being central to America" is quite the load. Get real, We are more free than just about any other nation. It is why the radical Muslims hate us. You can't stand it when there are those who subscribe to having laws and not just a "if it feels good do it" mentality. Makes it harder for you to justify not doing the right thing.

 

[RC Fan]

Getting a little OT here, but I'm surprised at the "no children allowed in restaurants that serve alchohol after 8PM" in Toronto statement!

Since we have travelled to TO in the past with our children, and had planned on going again in the future (DH & I lived there for a year BC) this could change our minds, at least until DS is older.

For instance, last time we arrived at a destination, it was after 8PM but we were all starved, so went out to eat. It would have been awful if we had to search for one that didn't serve alcohol, rather than going to the closest.

I'm glad the rule isn't(wasn't?) in force in Ottowa, as when we went there last May, DS discovered that he LOVES Pub food! He could get his curry fries, listen to Celtic music, and DH could get a great draft.

I have a hard time believing that one too.

That is not the case here in New Brunswick.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I have had sooo many run ins with trashy people at Chuck E Cheese that weren't drunk, that I would hate to have to deal with them drunk while trying to give my kids some fun. Also, really, you are at this establishment for the kids, and kids don't need to see drunk people goofing around IMO!

Well since Chuck E Cheese has served alcohol for DECADES now and apparantely in your experience the trashy people have been able to keep themselves sober...........

I don't see your point.

 

[ducklite]

Ok...

I was raised in a house where alcohol was not allowed except in cooking and during special occasions. I was not allowed alcohol at all until I was 21 because it was illegal.

So what happened? Binge drinking starting as soon as I was 18 and could stay out all night. I never learned responsible behavior regarding alcohol, and I rebelled big time and I'm really lucky I survived. I did some stupid things, put myself in stupid and dangerous situations.

Looking back I wish my parents had taught me that a glass of wine, or a beer wasn't bad. I'm not an alcoholic by any means but really, alcohol at work would make work so much more enjoyable

I'm sorry that you had to go through that. I grew up in an opposite house. Heck, I remember being allowed to take a "slug" of dad's beer every now and then when I was a pre-schooler. We're not talking about drinking a can, but I got to take a sip. I'm sure the amount of alcohol I got was inmeasureable. We were served wine at dinner at all holidays. Mom and Dad would have whiskey sours on Saturday evenings.

Social drinking was not hidden from children, rather we were taught that it's perfectly acceptable to have a drink in your own home, but not to drink to excess and never to drink and drive. When we went out to dinner my parents would have a glass of wine or a cocktail, and whoever wasn't driving home got to have a second. (I can remember them flipping a coin a few times LOL!)

It was a natural progression for me as I became an adult to have a cocktail or wine with my dinner or if I were out with friends, but not to drink to excess, and not to have more than one, maybe two drinks if I was driving.

My parents taught by example, which IMHO is the best way for a parent to teach about anything.

As far as drinking at work, I have to tell you, there are times I feel the same way LOL! There are those days...

Anne

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I have never made alcohol taboo with my kids. They have been allowed a sip of my drink--no not a whole drink and not in a restaurant since that is not legal, but in our own home. It's not something that they have to grow up wondering about. Perhaps that's why my teen DD never, to the best of my knowledge (and I say that with my eyes open) drank. I know for a fact that she didn't do half the stuff I did as a high schooler and so far my 15yo hasn't. I'm aware of the signs and will not have my head in the sand, that is for sure. But it was taboo in my household growing up and I was very curious.

 

[Tiger926]

This is Tiger's hubby here, GB.

She never once said we lived in Toronto, we live in Southwestern Ontario, and so any restaurants that convert to bars, do not allow kids in after 8:00 pm due to smoking and alcohol restrictions. Not family restaurants such as Applebees, but adult based places of business like bars, pubs and taverns. Even some restaurants that are food centred by day, but convert to bars at night, fall into this category.

Her and I have talked about this thread, and I believe this is what she was trying to point out and she never once said that adults couldn't drink at all and that is plain silly! In our city, there are big distinctions between places for kids and places for adults due to smoking and alcohol issues. Kids are not allowed in after 8:00 pm, and a lot of our places fall into this category as they serve families by day, and adults at night but this way they serve both groups of people throughout the day. You can believe it or not, but that's the way it is.

Just felt the need to clarify as many posters have been pretty ignorant to my wife, which I am not going to comment on. We honestly both feel though that this is more about the right to drink being taken away from you, then what may be best for kids. Our rule is: if the guest of honor is underage, then no alcohol will ever be served as kids don't drink and that is their party! If the adults can't get by without drinking for a few hours like at Chuck E Cheese then they are free to leave and that is their choice to do so.

Despite the fact that my wife may have strong viewpoints on some things (and some of her responses may have been misunderstood or she made some errors in what she was saying), she does so because children are her number one priority and I'm not saying they aren't your priorities as I don't know you people, but she wasn't ignorant and insultive like some other posters. My wife is the most altruistic person I know beacause other people are always more important than her, especially kids. She never said we were hiding our daughter in our house and making alcohol a 'taboo' as some of you assume. Our daughter will be educated about it in a responsible way, plain and simple, and we honestly don't feel that we need to drink to teach her about alcohol. Using the excuse that you have to teach by example here is silly to me as well. If you teach your kids about self control and personal responsibility, then you don't have to drink in their presence for them to learn how to responsibily handle alcohol. To be honest though, she despises alcohol for a lot of personal reasons such as losing loved ones to drunk drivers, having students raped by people who were drinking too much and having relatives abused by alcoholics, so this of course is a very hard topic for her.

Please don't feel the need to respond as this isn't my intention. Just wanted to clarify the alcohol rule in our city, as well as make people to realize that just because you are typing on a message board, that some people's feelings may get easily hurt (as my wife's are) without this being your real intention.

GB (Tiger's hubby)