Is it OK to have a drink while taking care of your kids?

Talk about this week's poll!

Good heavens, I hope so.

Hmmm. I had a drink with dinner at a nice restaurant, and my child and her boyfriend were there, too. They are underage. (If you are curious, he had green tea and she had lemonade.)

That was too funny! I think one drink does not impair one's ability to parent. In some situations it might actually help!

I think this is much more an American issue than it is elsewhere. There seems to be an automatic equation in the American national psyche between "drink" and "drunk". If you drink around your kids, you're exposing them to something illicit; and that having a drink renders you incapable of providing adequate care. One (or even two) drink(s) does not a sot make. You ask this question of most Canadians or Brits or French, and the reaction is "What a bizarre question."

Because really - parenting is FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. Is one supposed to not drink until your children are of legal age, then? Or only one of you can drink at a time - you'll have a Designated Parent?

For me, it's just an odd question.

You should have at least one cocktail for each child under your care. Oh hell, some day's you should make 'em doubles and invite the neighbor kids over.

I think I'm having one of those days... But I'm making do with tea. Because I am So Professional and Virtuous.

Cracking me up! Yes, by all means, drink. It's an odd question for me, too. You must read and share Three Martini Playdate which put some things into hilarious perspective. I'm not about to ask my three year old to mix my margarita (because it would probably end up with dog fur in it) but it's fine for them to be exposed to it. Last night she asked for a glass of pretend wine instead of tea at the tea party. I could only laugh b/c I was having a real drink!

On that note, the last playdate I hosted had 5 moms splitting a bottle of wine before we ordered pizza and let the kids tool around the driveway on their bikes. It was a blast because it felt sort of forbidden. We giggled more from that then the wine. Next time we'll try two bottles (I may be kidding).

Oh my goodness, yes.

I'll play Devil's advocate here for a moment, though...

I'm OK with me (or my husband, or my parents or in-laws, for that matter) having a drink while taking care of my kids, but I'd be livid if I found out that my nanny/babysitter/caregiver had done the same.

Why is that?

Lylah, I feel the SAME way. In part it's b/c I'm paying that person. They are not there to relax but to spend constructive time with the children.

I agree... way back when I was a nanny, the idea of pouring myself a drink while I was "on duty" would never have even occurred to me for that very reason.

Vodka is a Moms best friend... colorless... odorless... (Just kidding... sortof).

I too would be livid if I found out my care provider was drinking while in charge of my angels... but then, I don't drink on the job and I expect the same from them! I don't think that's a double standard.

Plus, I know what I am doing... how I handle myself...etc... we never know these things for sure about others. (That's the control freak in me speaking.)

Cheers!

I've had this discussion in other arenas. My bottom line? It depends on who the caregiver is. No, I don't drink on the job (I'm a childcare provider, as it happens), but back when I was hiring care for my own children, there were those - family, friends - who were shown not only where the kids' stuff was, but where the wine was, when they came in to sit of an evening. A teen (even an of age teen) would not be given the same privilege.

Also, many people DO drink during their work day. They head out for lunch, and maybe have a glass of wine with it, then head back to the office.

So, I'd say "it depends".

I'm probably the only one that feels this way, but I really don't like it when someone is having a drink and holds my baby. Yes, even family members. I think this is because I don't drink myself. I'm worried that the person might stumble while holding her....for that matter I don't like it when people wear heels and hold her either...but that's another story.