Alcohol at child's birthday party

[Anonymous]

We went to a big backyard party with wine and beer (also lots of sparkling water, soft drinks, juice) and I was really surprised at how divided people were. Some were surprised and thrilled and others acted shocked. I just don't understand what is the big deal either way? And several people mentioned they were debating if this was an 'adult beverage' party or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on the party, OP.

Late afternoon, backyard free for all? Sure, we have a variety of beverages for grownups, including but not limited to alcohol.

Early afternoon pool party? No. Same for a party at the local playground or indoor play place (back when those were a thing). I briefly considered bringing alcohol for a pool party we recently hosted, and instead opted for a bunch of different seltzers and sodas. No one seemed offended and if they were, that’s their problem.

I would never bat an eye if I went to a kids party and there wasn't alcohol. Nor would I bat an eye if there was. The people getting their panties in a bunch about this clearly have their own issues.

Same here. Unless it’s a birthday pool party—I don’t think a pool, kids, and alcohol should mix.

[Anonymous]

I've only been to a few parties without alcohol. We had beer at our son's party and allotted like 1-2 per adult when we but them out. Everyone had like 1 beer...chill out

[Anonymous]

I went to a party with my 5 year old that said on the invitation that they would be serving food for all and both adult and kid’s drinks. I didn’t see the adult drinks (turns out there was a cooler under the table) so when my DD and her friend helped themselves to glasses of punch I told DD I had to try it first. She asked why, and I said to make sure it was for kids. I took a sip and told her it was okay. She then loudly yelled, “good news everyone! The punch has no alcohol!”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a class thing. I'll leave it at that.

I don't think so? I'm solidly UMC, as are my DC friends, and their kids' parties always have mimosas or rose or IPAs for the parents.

My DH's extended family is working class and Hispanic and all their kids' birthdays are big family events with beer and margaritas.

PP- that's my point. This is an UMC thing. Hispanic families of all classes too.

No it's not. It's pretty common - except among uptight white people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like it's the norm here. I admit I'm not a huge fan, mostly because it seems wild that people can't even enjoy a kids' birthday party without a drink. But it's not like any obvious harm comes from it.

I’ve never attended a kids birthday party here (DC area) where anything other than La Croix & organic juice boxes were served.

Ah! Different experience and house parties or park parties always have some kind of alcohol. Parties in venues usually don’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on the party, OP.

Late afternoon, backyard free for all? Sure, we have a variety of beverages for grownups, including but not limited to alcohol.

Early afternoon pool party? No. Same for a party at the local playground or indoor play place (back when those were a thing). I briefly considered bringing alcohol for a pool party we recently hosted, and instead opted for a bunch of different seltzers and sodas. No one seemed offended and if they were, that’s their problem.

I would never bat an eye if I went to a kids party and there wasn't alcohol. Nor would I bat an eye if there was. The people getting their panties in a bunch about this clearly have their own issues.

Same here. Unless it’s a birthday pool party—I don’t think a pool, kids, and alcohol should mix.

Pool party-there should be both right? I am confused?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a class thing. I'll leave it at that.

I don't think so? I'm solidly UMC, as are my DC friends, and their kids' parties always have mimosas or rose or IPAs for the parents.

My DH's extended family is working class and Hispanic and all their kids' birthdays are big family events with beer and margaritas.

PP- that's my point. This is an UMC thing. Hispanic families of all classes too.

No it's not. It's pretty common - except among uptight white people.

Lol you don't know many UMC white people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a class thing. I'll leave it at that.

I don't think so? I'm solidly UMC, as are my DC friends, and their kids' parties always have mimosas or rose or IPAs for the parents.

My DH's extended family is working class and Hispanic and all their kids' birthdays are big family events with beer and margaritas.

PP- that's my point. This is an UMC thing. Hispanic families of all classes too.

No it's not. It's pretty common - except among uptight white people.

Lol you don't know many UMC white people.

Lol you don't know many non-uptight white people.

[Anonymous]

I used to be chill about this, but then we had a fellow parent die of an overdose and another parent friend sent to prison for a DUI after 2 glasses of wine on a Friday night. The former was someone who always had a beautiful drinks table at his kids’ parties. He showed no signs of substance problems.

This was all within the last 9 months. I can’t see drinks at kids’ parties, “just a glass of wine” or any of that in the same way anymore. Please be careful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a class thing. I'll leave it at that.

I don't think so? I'm solidly UMC, as are my DC friends, and their kids' parties always have mimosas or rose or IPAs for the parents.

My DH's extended family is working class and Hispanic and all their kids' birthdays are big family events with beer and margaritas.

PP- that's my point. This is an UMC thing. Hispanic families of all classes too.

No it's not. It's pretty common - except among uptight white people.

Lol you don't know many UMC white people.

Lol you don't know many non-uptight white people.

You have reading comprehension issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to be chill about this, but then we had a fellow parent die of an overdose and another parent friend sent to prison for a DUI after 2 glasses of wine on a Friday night. The former was someone who always had a beautiful drinks table at his kids’ parties. He showed no signs of substance problems.

This was all within the last 9 months. I can’t see drinks at kids’ parties, “just a glass of wine” or any of that in the same way anymore. Please be careful.

I'm so sorry.

There is a weird mix of "of course alcohol should be served so that parents can have fun and relax too after a hard week" and "no one is drinking at a kid birthday party to get buzzed or drunk."

Which is it? If the alcohol affects you, it affects you, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like it's the norm here. I admit I'm not a huge fan, mostly because it seems wild that people can't even enjoy a kids' birthday party without a drink. But it's not like any obvious harm comes from it.

I’ve never attended a kids birthday party here (DC area) where anything other than La Croix & organic juice boxes were served.

Sorry you have lame friends.

LOL you took the words out of my mouth. I've never been to a kids park party or party at home that did not have alcohol for parents. We all walk to these things anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to be chill about this, but then we had a fellow parent die of an overdose and another parent friend sent to prison for a DUI after 2 glasses of wine on a Friday night. The former was someone who always had a beautiful drinks table at his kids’ parties. He showed no signs of substance problems.

This was all within the last 9 months. I can’t see drinks at kids’ parties, “just a glass of wine” or any of that in the same way anymore. Please be careful.

There is way more to this story if s/he was sent to PRISON. Do you mean they were arrested and spent the night in the drunk tank? That is what happens for a first DUI. You don't go from two glasses of wine to the big house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I used to be chill about this, but then we had a fellow parent die of an overdose and another parent friend sent to prison for a DUI after 2 glasses of wine on a Friday night. The former was someone who always had a beautiful drinks table at his kids’ parties. He showed no signs of substance problems.

This was all within the last 9 months. I can’t see drinks at kids’ parties, “just a glass of wine” or any of that in the same way anymore. Please be careful.

There is way more to this story if s/he was sent to PRISON. Do you mean they were arrested and spent the night in the drunk tank? That is what happens for a first DUI. You don't go from two glasses of wine to the big house.

Seriously. You also don't go to jail from 2 glasses of wine, so either they drank a lot more than that or they were on pills. And surely there were signs. Do you know much about substance abuse?