Do parents drink at your tween’s sporting events?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Alexandria Little League parent here. If I see you with a travel mug, hydroflask, opaque Nalgene or some other container I know it's either a mixed drink or wine, especially if it's a night game.

So I use those things, but for water. OOPS! I like that it keeps my ice cold. Also my MIL carries a stainless steel straw cup with her everywhere because she hates water and only drinks ice tea. I think that's weird, but whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No way! We’re a military family with high schoolers, so have lived all over the country with very sporty kids. Even Las Vegas, where drinking in public is extremely common. I’ve never see parents at track, soccer, basketball or cross country (club, rec and school sports) drinking on the sidelines.

That's what I used to think but the drinks are in the tumblers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alexandria Little League parent here. If I see you with a travel mug, hydroflask, opaque Nalgene or some other container I know it's either a mixed drink or wine, especially if it's a night game.

So I use those things, but for water. OOPS! I like that it keeps my ice cold. Also my MIL carries a stainless steel straw cup with her everywhere because she hates water and only drinks ice tea. I think that's weird, but whatever.

LOL I always am paranoid that people think I'm constantly drinking because I always, always have my yeti or rtic tumblers with me either sipping out of the lid (hot tea) or an opaque reusable straw. Truth is I am just always drinking something, pretty much always. I pee a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:the baseball parents always sneak beer, hard seltzer.. every one.

Is this why my kid struggles to move up — I don’t drink at games. I used to think I was a social drinker, but then learned that drinking only every few months doesn’t count.

[Anonymous]

Soccer, no? Swim team, yes but mild. Dive team, same. Gymnastics meets - no but I wish so long but never close to home! Baseball - lots. Especially rec as it was all local - nice night, hang out on the grass. Not as much in travel baseball but occasional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No way! We’re a military family with high schoolers, so have lived all over the country with very sporty kids. Even Las Vegas, where drinking in public is extremely common. I’ve never see parents at track, soccer, basketball or cross country (club, rec and school sports) drinking on the sidelines.

That's what I used to think but the drinks are in the tumblers.

Ugh. I legit have water in mine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the baseball parents always sneak beer, hard seltzer.. every one.

Is this why my kid struggles to move up — I don’t drink at games. I used to think I was a social drinker, but then learned that drinking only every few months doesn’t count.

Exhibit A of denial.

I coach a travel team; the only thing that matters is your kid's ability and their willingness to be coached.

If you think your kid isn't getting playing time because you don't socialize enough, you're either in complete denial about your kids athletics ability or you need to find a new team

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the baseball parents always sneak beer, hard seltzer.. every one.

Is this why my kid struggles to move up — I don’t drink at games. I used to think I was a social drinker, but then learned that drinking only every few months doesn’t count.

Exhibit A of denial.

I coach a travel team; the only thing that matters is your kid's ability and their willingness to be coached.

If you think your kid isn't getting playing time because you don't socialize enough, you're either in complete denial about your kids athletics ability or you need to find a new team

I was f’n being sarcastic. Sounds like you need a drink.

[Anonymous]

The problem is the driving part.

[Anonymous]

We do! A lot of the parents get along well and so we have a beer and watch the kids play and chat. Sometimes we even barbecue together afterwards.

No one gets drunk and I don’t get the sense anyone has a problem with alcohol, we are just all in our early 30s and we treat it like a fun, casual social event.

I’m surprised there are people appalled and surprised by this. You’ll be shocked to know we also serve beer to the adults at our kids’ birthday parties

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Alexandria Little League parent here. If I see you with a travel mug, hydroflask, opaque Nalgene or some other container I know it's either a mixed drink or wine, especially if it's a night game.

Then you're stupid. I always drive around with my tea in my travel mug. When you see a horse, don't think zebra.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand. A game is a couple of hours, you can’t last through that without a drink at a children’s event?

Or if you have a series of games, you should be hydrating because you will be outside for a long time and driving frequently.

That’s what I was thinking. I can imagine having some parents / players over after a game or tournament- but not being able to make it 2-3 hours without alcohol? That shocks me. I sure as heck wouldn’t be carpooling with those parents.

Do they think it’s cute or funny? It makes me think they are alcoholics.

Where do you get that people "can't make it" 2-3 hours? without alcohol? That's a massive and unsupported inference.

The teetotalers on this board always do that. If you want to drink it must be because you're an out of control drunk. If you have one beer at a kids athletic event you're clearly an alcoholic guilty of child endangerment.

That's why no one offers anyone in this thread a thermos of sangria.

I’m not a tea-toter. But I think you do have a problem if you can’t follow simple rules about not drinking. Almost every single one of these clubs and leagues have a rule that parents and spectators should not be drinking during the game. And almost all the venues that are hosting these games also have a No alcohol policy.
It’s a stunning example parents are sitting for their children. The rules don’t apply to them. Having a few drinks where it’s not allowed is not a big deal. Drinking and driving is not a big deal.

What makes you think that a parent who is drinking is also driving? DH and I take turns being DD. It's not a big deal. And neither is breaking a simple, but unnecessary, rule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We do! A lot of the parents get along well and so we have a beer and watch the kids play and chat. Sometimes we even barbecue together afterwards.

No one gets drunk and I don’t get the sense anyone has a problem with alcohol, we are just all in our early 30s and we treat it like a fun, casual social event.

I’m surprised there are people appalled and surprised by this. You’ll be shocked to know we also serve beer to the adults at our kids’ birthday parties

Shocked at private home parties? No. At parks and venues where signs remind folks it is illegal to drink alcohol at the field/gym, yes. What baseball fields allow parents to drink booze?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:


The problem is the driving part.

That’s the only problem you see????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have two teen athletes and I have never noticed a single person drinking! You guys are telling me I’ve just been completely clueless?

No, just depends on the sport and location. Mine are in college now. Hockey, yes, lots of drinking. Soccer? None that I ever saw.