Drinking and kids....

[aprilgail2]

Ok, I know I am old...but....when did it become socially acceptable for parents to give their kids coolers full of beer left in the garage and backyards so the kids could drink and have "fun" at block partys?? I am NOT talking about 18 year olds...or even 16 year olds for that matter...I am talking about kids in 7th and 8th grade! Once house the parents went out for some funtion they had but they left the garage stocked with beer for their 9th grade daughter who was staying home and her friends....the house across the street which they are renovating and don't even live at...well they were at a house 7 doors down joining them for our block party but the father came down with his son and friends and a big cooler, wheeled it into the backyard and kids were coming and going from the backyard all evening, beer bottles all over the place and his kids is in 8th grade and all his friends are too. I am really starting to dread this block party every year but if you go out you chance leaving your house empty and who knows what can happen then!! What is going to happen when these kids get to be 16 and older!!

 

[meandtheguys2]

I would have happily called the cops on them! I worked with way too many young alcoholics! How stupid can you get?!

 

[Mad4Mickey]

 

[Aimeedyan]

I would have called the cops. I guess I'm not very nice =) I think that's inappropriate, and if the parents can't get that, then perhaps the local police dept would like to point it out to them.

 

[meandtheguys2]

I guess I could video-tape it first...

 

[Kallison]

We had a Mom go to jail in our town for doing that. What morons.

 

[CEDmom]

I definitely would have called the police as well. I think a few charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and a nice big article in the local paper might just be the kind of wake up call these parents need.

 

[shortbun]

I would have called the police. Why didn't you?

 

[Pin Wizard]

Stupidity! A year or two ago there was an incident in our town where a girl's parents...mom basically did that. Dad was overseas for work and got home the night of the party. A high school boy ended up getting killed that night! I remember actually seeing the case on Court TV, but I don't know how it turned out. Hmmm...I'll have to search that one!

 

[powellrj]

I was shocked when we had my sons open house how many parents just handed their high school age children beer and wine. When my son came home on leave, he was shocked how many parents offered him beer. He said every house he visited offered him a beer. I know these are older teens than you were talking about, but they are still teens. If you want to serve your teen and only your teen alcohol in your own home thats your business, but don't even think about offering freely to other peoples kids, thats criminal.

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by shortbun
I would have called the police. Why didn't you?

Actually the police did come, but since the block is closed off they have to walk down the block and that was enough notice for all kids to drop the bottles in a pail and not have the cops see them....there is like a thousand people on the block for block party day, not easy for cops to find anyone in that crowd! Last year they were here for an assault and couldn't even find the guy that did it in the crowd!
Most people were actually pissed that someone called the cops and "ratted" on people!

 

[MinnieM21]

What kind of parents would allow their children to have parties with alcohol? That's just crazy.

 

[auntpolly]

I know it will be really uncomfortable for you to do this but I think you should speak up against it -- maybe tell them you'll call the police if they do it again. I'll bet there are alot of people who feel like you do and are afraid to look stupid or be unliked and don't say anything. Maybe if you start talking to neighbors who you think might be against it you'll see how many are on your side (the <i>right</i> side!) and you can get some kind of movement against it. This is the kind of thing that really makes me think our society is going to Hell in a handbasket! We have to start standing up to morons!

 

[shortbun]

Sounds like chaos and a tragedy waiting to happen.
If anyone ever allows my DS, a minor, to drink in their home without my permission; I will prosecute them to the fullest
extent of the law.

 

[meandtheguys2]

I am with shortbun and Aunt Polly on this! When people think they are above the law and endangering minors, I would be really concerned. Add to that it sounds like a bad situation all the way around. 1000 people? How big is your block? I am guessing that it must be much longer that what I am thinking!

 

[snoopy]

Thats not parenting, its abuse.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Have you tried talking to the planners of the party, maybe putting out a general reminder about the drinking age to these moron parents?
If no one gets caught, and the type of people at your party are the kind who want to get back at people for "ratting them out", I would lock every door and window and take your daughter to a hotel for the night. She will enjoy swimming and hopping on a hotel bed and you won't have to worry about these shenanigans.
Robin M.

 

[fanofmickey]

I agree with above poster - I would not attend a party that allowed this to happen. If they do catch someone's kids with alcohol, who will they prosecute at this party? It will look as if everyone in attendance condones this behavior. I think you have to make a stand and make it clear to your child why you will not attend this party - it will send a clear message as to your values on this subject.

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by Rock'n Robin
Have you tried talking to the planners of the party, maybe putting out a general reminder about the drinking age to these moron parents?
If no one gets caught, and the type of people at your party are the kind who want to get back at people for "ratting them out", I would lock every door and window and take your daughter to a hotel for the night. She will enjoy swimming and hopping on a hotel bed and you won't have to worry about these shenanigans.
Robin M.

I've thought about being away for the block party days, even talked about it with a neighbor and we both agree its probably better to be home with our house than to leave it empty that day. We actually live in a pretty good neighborhood but on block party day it attracts every kid from the town to the blocks! During the daytime it is fun and my daughter loves it, clown, magician, cotton candy, moon bounce, sand art, tye dye, dancing, dunk tank, baseball, basketball, volleyball, horseshoes etc...but once 9pm hits I would like it over but it runs until midnight and those three hours are the worst! Last night the cops came back around 12:30 or so and they herded groups of kids down the street and off the block. They were driving their car behind the group and sort of just pushing them down the street and off the block. With groups of kids like this you don't want to start to much trouble because there would be retaliation!

 

[CindysGusGus]

IMO Its just wrong. I hope that someone does call the cops. My parents when I was younger HS age would allow me to have a half a glass of wine on holidays that was it. When I got a little older they did not forbid me to drink. The only good outcome of this was that I never really had the urge to. I hardly ever drink now and am almost always Designated Driver. A lot of kids drinking is some sort of rebellion but when parents outright offer it in bulk and to other peoples kids its jst wrong.