Parents Who Drink Alcohol While Taking Their Kids Trick or Treating...

[princess momma]

Hubby thinks all the defensiveness on this Thread is derived from guilt from people maybe second guessing what they were doing last night??? He said he enjoyed taking the kids ToT'ing (safely) and then enjoyed his beer in the spa after they went to bed.

You're really not supposed to drink in the spa. The combination of alcohol and hot water increase risk of heart attacks, passing out, etc.

Just sayin'.

 

[Cinerbelle]

You're really not supposed to drink in the spa. The combination of alcohol and hot water increase risk of heart attacks, passing out, etc.

Just sayin'.

Thanks, but he doesn't heat the spa over 99 (doesn't like it HOT) and the 1 beer wouldn't exactly put him in the tipsy range for his weight.

 

[Mickey's Minion]

Thanks, but he doesn't heat the spa over 99 (doesn't like it HOT) and the 1 beer wouldn't exactly put him in the tipsy range for his weight.

So, if you admit that one beer doesn't put you in the tipsy range, why all the angst that parents who have a beer or a glass of wine while TOT'ng have their parental abilities impaired?

 

[Scurvy]

No, breaking the law is breaking the law.

You can't pick and choose the laws you can break, making excuses for the ones you break and being judgemental on others.

I see what she's saying, though. There might not be a difference when it comes to the police, but for me there would be a big difference when it comes to my child. I don't want him to see me intentionally breaking the law. If I accidentally speed, I slow down when I realize it - or when my son does and points it out. I really don't intentionally speed. (Of course I've never gotten a ticket, or even been pulled over, so I'm probably bizarrely vigilant about going the speed limit!) There's no law here about using a phone when driving, but if there was then I would follow it. There's an open container law here, so there's no way I'd be walking around violating it with my child. I'm trying to teach him to follow the law, and I don't think I'd be doing a good job of that if he saw me picking and choosing which laws to follow. Accidentally speeding is unintentionally breaking the law. Carrying a beer through the neighborhood would be intentionally breaking it. The police might not care about the difference, but I don't think that accidentally breaking the law in front of my son would hurt my credibility with him. Intentionally doing so probably would.

I'm not sure how I feel about drinking while Trick or Treating. I had never heard of it before this thread. My gut reaction is that I don't like the idea, but that probably has a lot to do with the sort of neighborhood where I live. We get lots of traffic. If we lived in a more contained neighborhood and Halloween was treated more like a big block party, I'd probably feel differently about it. I have a huge problem with parents getting drunk in front of their children (or while they are responsible for the kids), but I see nothing wrong with drinking responsibly in front of your kids.

 

[Cinerbelle]

So, if you admit that one beer doesn't put you in the tipsy range, why all the angst that parents who have a beer or a glass of wine while TOT'ng have their parental abilities impaired?

Big difference in putting himself in danger vs. the kids. He would never even consider drinking while ToT so as NOT to put the kids at risk. You are VERY defensive... have you had your wine today?

 

[autumnpalm]

In our neighbourhood last night there was a house that had baskets of candy for kids and a cooler of beers to hand out to the parents. We live in a very "community" type neighbourhood and during TOTing, everyone is out on their porches, chatting, walking around, catching up... and if people want to drink... not really any of my business! Personally, I don't drink, but I didn't see any parents that were even tipsy- they were just drinking socially, keeping an eye on the kids, etc. Barely any cars ever come down our street and it is a very safe neighbourhood. Not something I would do but I don't see a big problem with it.

 

[Mickey's Minion]

My kids are so oblivious, they don't even know what an open container law is...must be because they're not gifted like 98% of the other kids.

A toast to you from another family in the bottom 2%

 

[DVCJones]

I see what she's saying, though. There might not be a difference when it comes to the police, but for me there would be a big difference when it comes to my child. I don't want him to see me intentionally breaking the law. If I accidentally speed, I slow down when I realize it - or when my son does and points it out. I really don't intentionally speed. (Of course I've never gotten a ticket, or even been pulled over, so I'm probably bizarrely vigilant about going the speed limit!) There's no law here about using a phone when driving, but if there was then I would follow it. There's an open container law here, so there's no way I'd be walking around violating it with my child. I'm trying to teach him to follow the law, and I don't think I'd be doing a good job of that if he saw me picking and choosing which laws to follow. Accidentally speeding is unintentionally breaking the law. Carrying a beer through the neighborhood would be intentionally breaking it. The police might not care about the difference, but I don't think that accidentally breaking the law in front of my son would hurt my credibility with him. Intentionally doing so probably would.

I'm not sure how I feel about drinking while Trick or Treating. I had never heard of it before this thread. My gut reaction is that I don't like the idea, but that probably has a lot to do with the sort of neighborhood where I live. We get lots of traffic. If we lived in a more contained neighborhood and Halloween was treated more like a big block party, I'd probably feel differently about it. I have a huge problem with parents getting drunk in front of their children (or while they are responsible for the kids), but I see nothing wrong with drinking responsibly in front of your kids.

Well said!!!!

 

[paintnolish]

We ran into some dads last year who had beer in their wagon! I thought it was pretty funny, actually. So they were having a beer. Big deal. They weren't staggering down the street.

 

[Plannin'Shannon]

Big difference in putting himself in danger vs. the kids. He would never even consider drinking while ToT so as NOT to put the kids at risk. You are VERY defensive... have you had your wine today?

I'm not understanding how this puts the children at risk. Could you provide an example of such a scenario? How does drinking a beer, or your beverage of choice, while following them around the neighborhood put your children at risk? At risk for what?

I'm not a parent, so no guilt here, but I am genuinely curious.

ETA: And what about those who live in gated communities? Are the rules different for them because it's a secure environment? Many questions, many questions...

 

[MiniGirl]

I'm not understanding how this puts the children at risk. Could you provide an example of such a scenario? How does drinking a beer, or your beverage of choice, while following them around the neighborhood put your children at risk? At risk for what?

I'm not a parent, so no guilt here, but I am genuinely curious.

ETA: And what about those who live in gated communities? Are the rules different for them because it's a secure environment? Many questions, many questions...

We're in a gated community, and last night was awful. I've already mentioned the debris that was left in my yard. In another thread, I mentioned that I had a local sheriff in front of my house because there were some kids running through the neighborhood -- climbing people's fences, runnning through back yards, etc. Nothing really bad, but there was damage from their antics. (For us and a few others, it meant damaged shrubs and broken sprinklers.) For my neighbors across the street, it meant a new basketball goal.

We were not at our home until later and had a terrible time driving home. People were everywhere, and between the cars parked there and the people walking in the streets (instead of the sidewalks), I was having to drive rather slowly. No biggie. I drive a hybrid though, so it meant I was running on battery power. I had more people step right in front of my car because they couldn't hear me. Several were kids whose parents were right there but busy with their own festivities that they didn't see me either.

Another problem is that I think some people do not handle their alcohol as well as they may think they do. (Not saying all.) As we were driving home, one neighbor ran up and slammed his fist on the roof of my car to try to scare me. It wasn't done in a malicious manner. He was just out having a good time. Thing is he was in fairly scary make-up, and it scared the tar out of my girls. I can't imagine that he would've thought that was a good idea if he hadn't had a few drinks.

The part that really bothers me, though, is that it is getting worse year after year, and I do think that alcohol is one reason it is. Not the only reason but definitely a contributing factor. In general, I have no problem if people want to enjoy a drink while taking their kids out, and I saw quite a few people doing just that who were watching their kids as well as others' children. Unfortunately, I saw quite a few who were not (which is why someone else was having to spend their evening watching their kids). They were just so wrapped up in their own fun that they seemed to barely think about their own kids.

I'm glad so many of you had a great evening, but honestly, I'm glad its over.

 

[mamacatnv]

We always trick or treat with our mugs full of cocoa with "additives" we circle the block, stop in, refill our mugs, everyone goes potty, dumps off the loot and we repeat on the next block and the next and the next.
It was warm last night, we were drinking vodka coolers, in our mugs

I'm in Nevada, we can drink just about anywhere except school functions, youth sports etc. However, I have attended many a sports "banquet" where the coaches and parents were drinking beer. I'm not crazy about that but it is just what goes on here.

 

[Plannin'Shannon]

I had more people step right in front of my car because they couldn't hear me. Several were kids whose parents were right there but busy with their own festivities that they didn't see me either.

Another problem is that I think some people do not handle their alcohol as well as they may think they do.

This I absolutely understand. Some people do not know their limitations, and some people do. Which is why we shouldn't offer a blanket criticism of all parents who enjoy a drink while taking their kids trick-or-treating.

 

[amyup]

I must say I was completely jealous of the parents last night walking around with beers/wine in their hands. Wish I had remembered to grab a cold drink before I left the house.

 

[sersee05]

uhoh ...we were those people out having some beer while the kids TOT.....Who cares..I am sure there are better things to worry about then adult legal age parents having a few beers while they take their kids trick or treating..

 

[omghidanielle]

I feel the same way about this as I felt watching parents in the BP Pool at the PC with their backs to their kids under 4ft tall, without lifevests, while drinking Corona from a bottle

to responsibility!

 

[Planogirl]

I never had a drink when I took DS ToT. I see nothing wrong with it though but I am not being defensive in my case since I never did it myself. Hmmmm...

 

[Stevania]

I feel the same way about this as I felt watching parents in the BP Pool at the PC with their backs to their kids under 4ft tall, without lifevests, while drinking Corona from a bottle

to responsibility!

Yeah, cause all of us evil alcohol drinkers are neglecting our kids. It's a wonder they weren't run over by cars during Halloween and I don't know HOW they survive Disney, especially EPCOT.....ya know there is tons of booze there and god knows we may imbibe until they are riding Test Track and Soarin' sans parents.....we are all passed out in the World Showcase.

 

[smidgy]

Starbuck cups are THE BEST to use for a portable glass of vino. Nobody ever questions what is in a Starbucks cup

I LOVE my "refillable mug" from disney! I can walk around with my hot tea with baileys! or amaretto!. and pretend I'm in Disney!

and to the poster who said you can't properly watch your children while drinking alcohol: I am a waitress. last I checked, I am allowed to serve alcohol to parents with children in tow. It is still legal to drink in front of your children and/or grandchildren. or maybe, next time I babysit my grandchildren, and hubby and I choose to have cocktail or 2 while watching Lion King with them, I should hire a babysitter to watch us? I obviously can't take care of the little ones.
oh, and at Epcot, they should refuse to serve frozen margaritas or Japanese beer, or French Champagne to anyone who is with children. and at Beirgarten, do NOT serve beer at any able that have children seated. Even if they are not in your group, you are seated together with strangers. Maybe these strangers might have an objection to alcohol.... and NO sake at Teppan Edo, either., someone might object. (as a matter of fact, no coffee or tea either, caffiene, you know)
My Grandfather was a Lutheran minister. when he and Grandma babysat us, we watched Bonanza, and he drank Prima beer (they don't make it anymore,it was cheap, ministers didn't make much money).
yes, there are laws for drunk and disordely, as there should be. I pity the police who have to work on Halloween night. I'm sure they are happy for the close neighborhood groups who stay home on that night (some taking the kids out, some passing out treats, taking turns), helping keeping watch on the neighborhood, and having a little fun in the process.
I am grateful there are a few Reese's left for me!!!!

 

[smidgy]

My daughter in law is morman, and she loves her starbucks. she doesn't care to drink alcohol, but has no problem with our son (or us) having a few drinks whilst caring for our granddaughter. OF COURSE, we're not going to get smashed while babysitting.
we also have good disser friends who are Morman, who have gotten together with a bunch of other dissers who were imbibing. they chose not to drink, their kids were with them, they knew some of us were having a few cocktails. no biggie.
just wanted to set the record straight and not paint all Mormans with the same brush as this poster's neighbors.