Kids in liquor stores.... First impressions?

[luvmy3]

OP were you hiding in the back of the Delorean when Marty left the dance? Its 2010 you know.

 

[mickeywho?]

Wow...really? Unless they're grabbing at the free samples who cares?

 

[Disney Doll]

I wouldn't have given it a second thought.

 

[Magpie]

I don't even drink, and I wouldn't have an issue taking my kids - of any age! - into the LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) with me. My husband drinks, even has a glass of scotch in the evening "in front of the kids", and we frequently join him when he walks to the LCBO. We do bring the dog, but she's not allowed inside, because it's too high class of a joint.

Now the Beer Store! THAT place is pretty seedy. There's sticky puddles of beer drying on the floor, and it stinks, and there's usually winos outside. But I'll take the kids there, too, when I'm returning empties for change. My dog LOVES that place. Not only does she think it smells great, but she's allowed inside and they give her biscuits.

OP - I don't think the lady in scrubs was doing anything remarkable. I wouldn't think anything about it at all.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I remember going into the liquor store with my mom when I was little, it didn't scar me for life or anything. They could know the clerk personally from outside the liquor store.

 

[MushyMushy]

Wow...really? Unless they're grabbing at the free samples who cares?

Free samples??? FREE???

I wanna shop where you live.

 

[C.Ann]

Free samples??? FREE???

I wanna shop where you live.

Hey! I don't drink at all - but - if someone gives free samples - well - that would be good for those pesky recipes I come across that need a smidge of sherry; a bit of rum; some red wine - 'cause I'm sure as heck not buyingit!!

 

[tinatark]

The liquor stores I've seen say "No Minors" - so the law in op's state must be different.

It does seem like mom should have purchased her "haul" before picking up her daughter from school... even though it may have been perfectly allowable, IMO it wasn't a wise parenting choice.... I can just hear the kindergarten conversations about the visit!

OL at the posts which say the liquor is fine, but the cigarettes -

 

[bumbershoot]

OK what do you mean by pre-written check? Do they have the check machines that fill it all out, by any chance? Where you just sign, and hand it over, and the machine fills in the rest? Could be one reason. Or she buys the same stuff every so often and knows how much it will be...

Anyway, I wouldn't think much of it. In WA, at least for now (it's on the ballot to change it), you can ONLY buy hard liquor at state run stores. And all of them allow kids in. Do I take DS in? I try hard not to. Like luvorlando it seems "unseemly" LOL, but I don't judge (shocking, I know!) those who do. I wish I could feel better about it, but I just feel WEIRD when taking DS in. Probably mainly b/c I don't go there often...I just don't like hard liquor that much, and as I've recently found out with the ballot issues, liquor stores have a 54.9% markup to go to the government! Yikes! I'll wait to have my Bailey's until I visit my brother and can buy it at the grocery store for much much cheaper.

I do love all the mixers that come in cool looking bottles, like the wavy ones. I want a set just to sit in the china cabinet.

Getting cool bottles is always such a great idea...until you realize how nasty the dust that collects on glass can be, and how annoying it is to dust it all the time...been there done that!

So, I'm surprised that kids were even in a liquor store because I just presumed this was a U.S. law. Maybe it's just another wierd little quirk of my town?

What state are you in? It might be a town thing, but maybe it's a state thing... But it's definitely not a US thing! Liquor laws vary widely from state to state. DH, raised in WA, still gets a little panicky when he sees the liquor section in the grocery stores in CA...it's so funny to see his reaction...I can just read his thoughts..."omg someone made a huge stocking mistake, how did that happen?" before he realizes that the shelves are there specifically for the vodka etc etc.

Now children at an adult toy store.....yeah. I gotta big problem with that. Especially when they walk up and ask me what THAT is used for.

Oh man...a friend of mine whose daughter is now in middle school...we used to go all over the place with her. Friend and I wanted to get some shoes at this local adult store, and brought the then toddler with us. We stayed on the first floor (the serious toys are downstairs), but there were still some odd things on the first floor...wonder if that friend remembers it?

That friend's daughter also called the beer/wine section "mama wine" at the grocery store...

Meanwhile, I have my kid calling me a "beer addict" as we walk through that aisle... Yes, son...1 beer a day, IF that, is certainly the sign of an addict!

But I don't even know what a Head shop is.

If you used to have a Tower Records in your town, if there was a room at the back where kids weren't allowed...that's where the head shop was.

In no way am I advocating smoking, but it seems that many people equate smoking with being a bad person and being a smoker with kids "bad parenting".

Well, my lungs surely do ache (quite literally this week!) for kids growing up with people who smoke...my mom had parents who did and she had asthma as a baby...my mom (addicted with first cig at 15) smoked on us until she slowly started quitting, then quit fully at 35, my dad smoked on us longer than that...stepmom still thinks we don't smell the smoke on her...and my asthmatic episodes certainly do NOT thank my parents for the legacy! So I might not think "bad parent" but I do think "ooh I wish you would quit for their lungs' sake!"

But to me, I would never bring my children into a liquor store. I'd wait till my husband was home to watch them, or there was a neighbor that could watch them for the 10 minutes it would take to get there, etc. To me, liquor shouldn't be that important. Just me. And sorry, but bringing your children into a wine tasting is not OK. Just me.

OK, what if you didn't have a husband, or he was out of town? What if you didn't live moments away from the liquor store (time to get there, buy the stuff, get back home in 10 minutes means it's VERY close)? What if you were having a party and didn't have time otherwise to get it? What if you just didn't WANT to wait for xyz to make a big production to get it, BECAUSE it's not that important, and it's *just another stop during a grocery-buying trip*?

My mom worked at a winery. We spent whole weekends up at the winery, roaming around, helping to put the bottles into cases (could earn a cool $20 for an hour of doing that, nice!), we were there for the very exciting bottling days (I still have a soft spot for Mexican radio from those days)...watched the wine tastings... My mom nearly had my brother to sommelier level when he was around 7, because he had SUCH a nose for wines! He reminded me that his job when on breaks from college was at a high-end wine store, and that he was one of the best employees, despite not being allowed to drink it, because of his nose and ability to memorize facts. He was allowed to taste sips at home, but he never much liked it...still doesn't (says that wine snobs are people who are afraid to say they just want the alcohol...shared that with me at a beer festival LOL), and despite having alcohol occasionally at home at an early age, didn't start drinking until he was well into college!

It was a lovely time in our lives, when we could hang at the winery all day...I'm sorry you won't let your kids go to a wine tasting. Despite what my brother thinks about wine snobs, and if you can ignore the high-falutin' words being bandied about...wine people tend to be some of the NICEST people out there! And they tend to get purple teeth, which is MOST amusing to a child.

 

[SandrA9810]

Getting cool bottles is always such a great idea...until you realize how nasty the dust that collects on glass can be, and how annoying it is to dust it all the time...been there done that!

Well that's the theory behind having a china cabinet. It helps keep the dusting down a bit. Although I've learned to never look on top of one. Unless you're about to move it.
I'll keep in mind, to keep it as an "I want".

 

[KiminChicago]

When we were at the Biltmore Estate on vacation in July, we took our kids with us into the winery and the wine-tasting room. They had grape juice for the kids, so I assume we weren't the first to have kids there. We ended up buying several very nice bottles of wine for DH and myself and a bottle of sparkling grape juice for the kids.

I'm a firm believer in not making alcohol a big deal. DS and DD have both made their 1st Communion, so they have both had sips of wine before. DS likes it, DD swears she will never drink anything with alcohol in it. I would have probably not even noticed the kids unless they were running around or being obnoxious.

 

[Hannathy]

Free samples??? FREE???

I wanna shop where you live.

Our grocery stores give free wine samples, usually on a Friday.


The OP better not visit Wisconsin it is legal to take your child into a bar AND you can give your child a drink. They can't buy it but if you buy it it is up to you whether they drink it our not.


I can not believe someone would be amazed that kids go into liquor stores or someone would be surprised that adults drink in front of kids.

I guess they wouldn't think it appropriate when you send the kid inside to get another beer for you!

 

[NHdisneylover]

I am with the crowd who would not have given a thought to well behaivng kids in the store (and I am with the PP who had no idea WHAT a head store was--and O grew up in Boulder)

I am not much of a drinker. I can't stand beer. rarely *maybe once a month) have a mixed drink and when I do either DH makes it very light for me or, if we are out, I ask for it with 1/3 the normal alcohol (and still often end up with something too strong for my liking and give it to DH). I have found several wines that I like (mostly sweet, white ones) since moving to Germany but i cannot think of a time wen I have ever had more than two glasses over the course of a day. I will sip a shot glass sized amaretto after dinner at my favourite little Italian place.

I was drunk only once--age 16 (legal in Spain where i was) when I did not know how quickly it would hit me until too late. I have never had a hang over and been tipsy or buzzed or whatever the term is maybe a half dozen times.

All that having grown up going in liquor stores. Gosh, the little store in the little town we lived in that always kept a 6 pack of their favourite not so common then imported beer behind the counter for my parents used to let me run in and pay and take it on Fridays while my mom sat in the car--so she would not have to park across the street and walk in the dark. I even had the occasional sip of beer (Which I always thought was nasty--but tried again in another year or two; I still do that now).

I think I "win" for being the most irresponsible parent to those who think letting your kids see you buy alcohol is bad Mine have seen it plenty. From liquor stores and grocery stores to the local vineyard. Mine are on very friendly terms with the owners of the vineyard we frequent. We all go about 3-4 times a year. The adults taste new things or things they are considering adding to the cellar in the basement, the kids drink grape juice and head out to wander in the fields. Sometimes DD13 even tries a small sip or two of wines. We leave with a couple of cases of good grape juice and 6 or so cases of wine. i is the wine we drink with dinner on the weekends, serve at parties and take along as hostess gifts.

Oh, and both of my kids are signed up to take a "cocktail" class in February. It is being taught by the local version of a community college and is for ages 12-16. They think it will be fun. I am pretty sure I am not setting them up to be alcoholics, or seedy people or whatever else. I think i am just setting them up to think about what they drink (and we are similar with eating)--to slow down and enjoy whatever it is they consume rather than just grabbing the first thing they see--and also maybe to be good hosts. Or, I am just letting them have some innocent fun.

Thankfully, if there are such judgmental people as the OP watching me they keep there judgements to themselves.

 

[mdsoccermom]

Yes, I bring my kids into a liquor store. It's a legal drink and a legally operated store. If I want to buy something and the kids are with me, they come in. They've been with us to buy large purchases, like cases of beer for our Oktoberfest. We've also taken them to the local winery with us when we've wanted to taste and stock up as well as wine festivals.

I don't get this taboo surrounding alcohol. I really don't.

 

[mdsoccermom]

Sorry, you don't have it right at all. I mentioned the cigarrets because that was one of the 3 things she got (cigarrets, beer, and hard liquor). Personally, I dont smoke, and wouldn't smoke since I have kids, but thats a whole nother thread! LOL
And yes, I made a point of saying that she had a pre-written check, but not because I was trying to say she was poor "'cause she can't pay cash or use a credit card" but because it was a PRE-WRITTEN check, hence this wasn't her first trip around the liquor store, seemingly.

I have no problem with people drinking (moderatly) in the house or out to dinner and infront of their kids. But to me, I would never bring my children into a liquor store. I'd wait till my husband was home to watch them, or there was a neighbor that could watch them for the 10 minutes it would take to get there, etc. To me, liquor shouldn't be that important. Just me. And sorry, but bringing your children into a wine tasting is not OK. Just me.

Why is it not ok to take your kids to a wine tasting? People don't go to them to get drunk. Again, modeling responsible behavior. We've gone there when they've set the kids up with coloring books, juice and crackers. Once we were there when the vintner was there as well. He took my son around and showed them where they cork and label the bottles. Their wine festivals always have children's activities.

Still not getting this whole idea that alcohol is BAD for kids to see.

 

[powellrj]

In Indiana its against the law to bring kids into bars and liquor stores so it would have been a huge issue here, but if its allowed, I don't see what the problem was. Maybe they were neighbors of the clerk or a relative.

 

[PatsGirl]

I personally don't believe in shading my children from anything so yes, they've been in liquor stores, bars, head shops, at parties where adults have been known to drink too much, and ugg! Spencers (I hate Spencers, lol). I also watch Intervention with DD13 so she can see how addiction sneaks up on you and takes over. I'm all about reality

 

[Skywalker]

I go to the liquor store about once a week, now usually my kids aren't with me because I try to do all my boring errands when they're busy with their activities or something.

But if I need to go there and they're with me, then they come. I'm not going to take them home and then make a special trip to sneak over, lol.

I don't think drinking wine with my dinner is wrong and I don't think buying the wine is anything to hide.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I go to the liquor store about once a week, now usually my kids aren't with me because I try to do all my boring errands when they're busy with their activities or something.

But if I need to go there and they're with me, then they come. I'm not going to take them home and then make a special trip to sneak over, lol.

I don't think drinking wine with my dinner is wrong and I don't think buying the wine is anything to hide.

I agree. I think parents who drink but try to hide that they do (or that they BUY the alcohol--um, where else would you get it?) tend to be sending the message that drinking should be hidden--not that no one should drink.

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

Recently I was in a liquor store buying a bottle of wine for a party I was headed to. It was a Wednesday night work party thing. As I was walking around the store looking at what to buy (I didn't want to spend to much, and I don't go to liquor stores often, so seeing all the neat bottles was kinda fun. There was one in the shape of a skull for $45.99...lol) there was a mom in there with her two kids. I recognized the mom because of her scrubs - she was one of the moms in my daughters kindergarten class. The kids were talking to one of the store employees about the renovations that were being done. They seemed comfortable talking to him, like they knew each other. Then I went to the check out and I was behind the mom and her kids (only line open). The mom was purchasing a good amount of beer and hard liquor (and cigarettes) and paid with a pre-written check. They seemed to all know each other pretty well, the kids were talking to the check out person (a different employee) about school.

So what would be your first impression of this? What would your "judgement" be about this? This is only a liquor store, they don't sell anything else, other than maybe pineapple juice for mixers. Would you bring your children into a place like this? Would you do it if it were just a one time thing, or would you do it on a regular basis not even thinking twice about it. I've talked to a few people about it, and I get different reactions from everyone.

Why would you have a judgment on this? Was the mom buying drugs? If not, it's called mind your business. Would you rather have her leave her kids in the car? And what's wrong with the children knowing the store owner and speaking to him? It's another member of the community. I suppose you would have your children cross the street to avoid this person just because -OH MY GOD -he owns a liquor store.

Stop stirring the pot with this foolishness.