When You Drink In Front Of The Kids (2024)

Is it OK to drink in front of your children? And, if so, what's the best way to go about it, while still setting a good example? Clinical psychologist Robin Goodman, who is also a contributor to The Saturday Early Show, has some guidelines.

Parents must decide their own values and attitudes about drinking first. It's not illegal for them to drink in front of their children and not always realistic to abstain in front of them. There are things adults are allowed to do that children and teens are not.

Tips on how to blend drinking around your kids and being a good parent:

  • Set a good example. Parents are sending a bad message if they get intoxicated in front of their child - they need to have a consistent message. No double standard.
  • It can send a bad message if every night you come home from work and need a drink. What's the hidden message there? "I need a substance to unwind."
  • Parents must realize kids watch everything, learn from them, and want to be like them

    What are some of the best things (or biggest mistakes) parents can do to teach their kids about alcohol?

  • Parents have THE biggest influence on their children when it comes to drinking behavior. They are likely most worried about getting grounded, getting their car keys taken away.
  • Most teens respect their parents and want their approval..
  • Talk to your children about it, By ages 8 to 11, they're learning about health, their bodies and they want to do what friends are doing. By ages 12 to 17, they know who's using it, and they need to know more about their taking responsibility for use. They need to know it's OK to come to you.
  • Conversations must include: information, your stand, the risks and consequences of drinking.

    Set family rules and stick to them.

  • Some things are non-negotiable: NO DRIVING, give up keys, don't get in a car with someone, call for a ride if need be.
  • No underage drinking at your house, then no underage drinking at your house. Don't invite all the kids over so you can supervise. This sends a mixed message, and it's illegal.
  • Role play. It's a great way to reinforce these rules.

    Know your child.

  • Be involved. Know your child/teen's friends and what they're doing.
  • Know the warning signs of alcohol problems.
  • Pay attention to other mental health problems. One in five Americans with substance abuse disorders had mood or anxiety disorders during that time. (Source: American Psychological Association
  • Get help if there's a problem, especially with abuse or addiction in the family.
  • Teens need to know their health history to stay healthy, whether it's heart disease, cancer, or substance abuse and addiction. Being informed helps them to make good choices.

    Goodman's sources also included Start Talking Before They Start Drinking.

  • When You Drink In Front Of The Kids (2024)

    FAQs

    Is it okay to drink alcohol in front of your kids? ›

    Others worry that some children may connect alcohol use with certain circumstances, such as arguing or physical altercations. The bottom line is that if you drink in front of your children, you should be cautious of when, where, and how much you're drinking.

    How many parents drink in front of their kids? ›

    As these response categories were not mutually exclusive, overall, 37.5% of parents reported drinking in front of their children on an at least a weekly basis (whether it was a glass, or drinking to intoxication; with 20.4% getting slightly or clearly intoxicated on a weekly basis).

    Is it rude to drink in front of an alcoholic? ›

    If you have always been a drinker, that may have contributed to their alcohol misuse. If so, you should not drink in front of them even if they suggest it's alright, as old patterns of behaviour can lull an addict back into unhealthy habits unwittingly.

    Do angry drunks mean what they say? ›

    Context can help determine whether drunks mean what they say. For example, heartfelt emotions are often genuine because people lack the rationalization skills to be devious and contriving. On the other hand, negative comments or anger may be a defense mechanism and not necessarily stem from truth.

    Why shouldn't you drink in front of your kids? ›

    Alcohol marketing, peer pressure and the genes that influence how much you drink are also in play. But, even so, parents who drink in front of their children and overdo it, could make their younger children feel unsafe and their older ones mortified. So treat parenting like driving – don't go over the limit.

    Should kids be around alcohol? ›

    Being around adults who are drinking can, in some cases, have a lasting influence on children. Experts say it's important not to ignore that drinking is going on and to clarify for kids that while moderate drinking is normal for adults, it's not meant for kids.

    How many kids are exposed to alcohol? ›

    A study in the January 2000 issue of the American Journal of Public Health (Volume 90, Number 1) reports that approximately one in four U.S. children (19 million children or 28.6 percent of children 0-17 years) is exposed at some time before age 18 to familial alcohol dependence (alcoholism), alcohol abuse, or both.

    Is drinking alcohol a part of growing up? ›

    For many young people, using alcohol, drugs, or other substances like cigarettes is just part of growing up. Many of them try these substances only a few times and stop, while others may continue to use them on a more regular basis.

    How do parents influence drinking? ›

    Parents as role models

    Being a positive role model helps shape their understanding of alcohol, including how alcohol may, or may not, be a part of their adult life. If your child sees adults drinking regularly and enjoying alcohol, they are more likely develop positive ideas and attitudes about alcohol.

    Is it rude to drink in front of a sober person? ›

    Unless drinking is an integral aspect of your event, it's best to avoid alcohol in front of your newly sober loved one. Not drinking will show your support and help prevent your friend or family member from feeling socially isolated by remaining sober throughout the event.

    Is sober friends a real thing? ›

    Benefits of Sober Friends

    A good way to monitor friendships is to stay away from those who use illegal drugs and those who pressure you to drink or use illegal drugs. Ideally, your new friends have been through a treatment program and are in addiction recovery. Hopefully, they can be your support system for sobriety.

    What are sober friends? ›

    Sober friends are an essential part of the support system that people need in early recovery. There's nothing wrong with staying friends with people you knew before you got sober, but it's important to spend time with people who have the same goals as you and who can understand and benefit your sobriety.

    What are the four types of drunks? ›

    Turns out, there are four kinds of drunk personalities that coincidentally match up with some popular names you'll likely recognize from your childhood: Hemingway, Mary Poppins, Mr. Hyde, and the Nutty Professor. Check out the defining characteristics below to see where your friends — and you for that matter — fit in.

    Does alcohol reveal your true self? ›

    Alcohol consumption does not directly uncover one's true self, but it can have implications on our inner lives and outer presentations.

    Does alcohol reveal your true feelings? ›

    Acting differently under the influence doesn't necessarily mean that drinking reveals someone's true self. Alcohol can, however, bring up non-dominant thoughts and feelings people ordinarily detach themselves from. Alcohol lowers inhibitions, leading us to act more impulsively and care less about what others think.

    Can you drink alcohol around a baby? ›

    Regular exposure to too much alcohol can affect a baby's growth, development and sleep. The baby might seem drowsy and weak and have unhealthy weight gain. Alcohol also can affect the ability to safely care for a baby. Over time, drinking too much might cause the body to make less breast milk.

    What happens when a child is exposed to alcohol? ›

    The problems that can happen when babies are exposed to alcohol are grouped together and called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). These include a wide range of physical, behavioral, and learning problems. The most severe type of FASD is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).

    What percentage of parents drink alcohol? ›

    More than half of parents reported past 30-day alcohol use (53.8%) and 27.2% reported they drank frequently (on ≥5 days/month) and 26.6% reported they drank weekly or less, on average.

    References

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