Parents who DRINK and get DRUNK in front of their KIDS

Philippines
April 29, 2007 8:44pm CST
Yesterday, Sunday is a lazy day for my neighborhood. It's a day for them to catch up with gossips and just relax.... Well, yesterday, I went back to my boarding house from a blessed morning at the church at around lunchtime. My landlady and her lady friends are having a hearty lunch at the gate, facing the street. They were babbling and laughing all the time they're lunching and I didn't mind because they look happy. I went up and stayed at my room for an hour or so to read a book. When suddenly a woman laughing and screaming so loud irritated my eardrums so I went out at the veranda and looked down and there, my neighbors, married women, at the broad daylight are having the time of their lives, drinking and getting drunk! I detested the sight because their kids are there playing around (or shall I say, gambling in petty games like "bingo", some are as young as 8 yrs old). It's bad enough that they're letting their kids gamble at the early age and encourage it because they soemtimes play with them. But getting drunk and "wild" like that in front of their kids? I was devastated! And it's Sunday! They could have at least went to church or do other worthwhile things... But well, that's their life, so i just ignored them and went back to my room to read... How about you? How would you have reacted in the situation? what do you think of parents who gets drunk in front of their kids? Do share your thoughts. Thanks...
4 people like this
22 responses
• Singapore
30 Apr 07
If drunk means losing control, puking all over and forgetting not to pee in the living room, then that is a no-no lol. If it is just a little tipsy, but they do remember and act like parents, then that's ok. Respect is hard to get, easy to waste away.
1 person likes this
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
30 Apr 07
I used to live in a place that used kids birthday parties as a reason to get drunk. I always detested that and thought that it was SUPPOSED to be a party for kids, with other kids and balloons and games. Not a chance for the adults to get together and get drunk. I think if you want to get drunk, you should at least have a baby sitter. Why? Because your judgment is impaired enough to not be allowed legally to drive, what would happen if you were drunk and a child was hurt? Would you know what to do? Maybe, maybe not. When you become a parent, your life changes. Your kids come first in everything. If you can't commit to that, then you shouldn't have kids.
• Philippines
30 Apr 07
Yes, I think they're being irresponsible, but I honestly don't think I have the right to give them a lecture about parenting since I don't have kids of my own, but gee! Getting wild in broad daylight in front of the kids is quite too much for me!
1 person likes this
@lissaj (532)
• United States
30 Apr 07
It probably wouldn't do any good to say anything to them anyway. I don't agree with what they were doing, especially in front of the kids. We are supposed to set the example for our kids, that's not the way to do it. There is a time and place to hang out with your friends, drink, have fun. But not when it puts innocent children at risk.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
30 Apr 07
I agree with you...
• India
30 Apr 07
i think while childhood we have a nature of adopting any thing we had seen. if the parents are sitting in front of them children they will soon try to imitate that. if they didnt try at presnet but they will try that in the future they will try.So we have avoid the unnecessary things in fornt of the children.See near my house there is smal child there he had a grand father he used to take drunk and abuse the people. by hear that the only 3year old child is started telling like that.So we have to careful while telling or doing any unnecessary things infront of childrens
• Philippines
30 Apr 07
Yes, children are eager to learn, and they easily learn things when they're young. You're right, parents should avoid doing things that their children might copy in the future, things that they themselves know won't bring their children any good...
@iszo07 (472)
• Malaysia
30 Apr 07
In fact, I believe parent who SMOKE in front of their kids also are bad parents. How can parent become a role models to their kids if at the same time they encourage them to do so? Just doen't make sense for me.
• United States
30 Apr 07
Smoking is bad, but it is VERY hard to quit. Especially long-term smokers, i.e ones who started when it wasnt known to be bad.
• Philippines
30 Apr 07
I don't think anything's impossible if you really want it. If you're having qualms about giving up on something, then you'll find it hard to give it up. But if you really put your heart to it, then it's gonna be easy. Your kids are inspiration enough to help you quit such vices....
• Indonesia
30 Apr 07
i think parents who drink and get drunk in front of their kids is horible parents, they give very very bad influence to their children, n can change the children way of think to choose wich is the good thing n which the worst..
• Philippines
30 Apr 07
yes, parents are influential...
@wonderful1 (2075)
• China
30 Apr 07
If you can avoid getting drunk in front of their kids,i think that will be better.But if you cant avoid, dont' be upset. This is not a bad thing.When you get drunk ,you will show your bad hevior.This is alos an education. they will find his parents too ugly to drink when he becomesbigger.But i dont mean you can often get drunk in front of your kids. As parents ,you should be a good model for your kids.you are the first teachers for them.
• Philippines
30 Apr 07
hmmmm... that's rather risky, don't you think?
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
30 Apr 07
I don't judge people. Does this happen all the time? Or do these ladies only meet once in a while- Perhaps they were not drunk but just having a good time. Not every one goes to church! It is totally their business. I've been to many parties and family get togethers where drinking was involved. I don't drink around my daughter- I want to be sure she will have a safe ride home- But I don't judge others who do- Unless they drink and then endanger their children by driving.
@anonymili (3138)
30 Apr 07
I think it's really out of order for people to get drunk in front of their children. I was at a party last year, it was a birthday party and only one person brought her child with her - her 6 year old daughter. Well it was a barbeque and it was quite chilly, the little girl didn't even have a sweater or coat and she was complaining that she was cold. I was so worried for the little girl that I wrapped her in my huge shawl to keep her warm. Her mother just ignored her and carried on drinking (she was pregnant too but didn't tell anyone at the time) and got so drunk and then got emotional and started crying about God knows what, then she sat on the stairs and just slumped sideways. We tried to call her a cab to send her home but she insisted she wanted to carry on drinking. Her little girl was so scared she started crying and kept asking her "mummy are you ok, shall I get you some water?" I was so annoyed at this woman for scaring her child like that and getting so drunk in front of her, no one else at the party was even tipsy but she went out of her way to get drunk.
• Philippines
2 May 07
its really damn stressful seeing such insensitive act and right in front of their kids.
• United States
30 Apr 07
Sadly this is the way that I grew up. It's definately not responsible parenting, and they are not sending the right message to their children. They are supposed to be setting a good example for these children, all they are doing is teaching them that this is the way to behave. In the end they will grow up to do these things and honestly believe that it's normal behavior. It will cause them nothing but problems and they will end up in jail. This is the future for children who are subjected to this while growing up. I know because I lived it and now my brother is going through the same thing. There's not much you can do except maybe call the police if they are too loud and hope that something comes out of it. If not and it persists, call Child Protective Services.
• Philippines
30 Apr 07
Ohh dear... I'm sorry about that.. But I'm sure you turned out right afterall, I'm sure you're a responsible person.. Anyway, you're right, they're giving bad examples to the children, that's why those kids are gambling at an early age...
@Dana5881 (609)
• United States
30 Apr 07
I think that is irresponsible and it is giving the children a bad role model. Parents need to teach children the right and wrongs of life and raise them to be respectable and responsible adults. While I drink in front of my child, I drink responsibly but never get drunk and out of control! Whether it is in front of my child or not.
@cerberi (18)
30 Apr 07
Personally i think drinking in moderation is ok but to get drunk in front of your children is irrisponsible and bad parenting.You can be arrested for being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle so there should be some kind of law for being drunk in charge of your children especially when you can be arrested for smaking your own child for misbehaving.
• New Zealand
30 Apr 07
As a parent myself I find this sort of behaviour disgusting. What sort of a signal are they sending to their kids. Parents who get drunk and smoke in front of their kids don't deserve to be parents. Set a good example and if you must drink and smoke do it away from your children.
• Philippines
30 Apr 07
Disgusting all right! Well, it's either they've forgotten their responsibilities as parents or they refuse to remember at all...
• United States
30 Apr 07
I see nothing wrong with drinking, or even getting drunk in front of your kids. And especially nothing wrong with bingo. That kind makes me wonder if you are serious or not.
@rahulmig (1030)
• India
30 Apr 07
it happens sometimes !!
• United States
30 Apr 07
I don't ever think that it is wise to expose children to bad behavior. As a parent, you are supposed to set the example for your children. If your kids see you getting drunk and wild, they will think that it is OK to act like that themselves. More parents need to realize that their children pay closer attention to them than they think. They are like sponges -- they absorb everything around them. I don't drink or smoke in front of my child because I don't want to expose him to that kind of behavior. The less he sees of that sort of thing, the less likely he is to do it.
• United States
30 Apr 07
So what if it was Sunday? So what if these women were drinking in front of kids? Not all people believe in church, God, or holy days. So you did the right thing by not butting into their live's. I give you a pat on the back for that.
@jarves (814)
• Philippines
30 Apr 07
Parents who drink and get drunk in front of their children are irresponsible parents. They should be taught a lesson on proper parenting. They should be responsible enough not to show that kind of stuff to children
• Malaysia
30 Apr 07
i think i will ask the kid to move somewhere else first.. or maybe.. ask them go into their house first.. i think it's really a bad example to get drunk infront of kids.. oh come on.. even if you're having pressure or stress.. you can't do that infront of your kids.. that shows you're being immature.. and i think i will scold them the next time i saw them.. i think it's really bad to get drunk.. and furthermore.. they're letting their children to gamble? what on earth.. as young as 8? gosh.. this is too much.. my family won't let anyone to learn to gamble until they're 12.. we believe they can learn.. but of course. .we do advise our own family not to gamble..
• Philippines
30 Apr 07
It's the way they raise their kids, we can't tell them how they should raise their kids, but they are really irresponsible parents. But someday, they'll receive karma. They really shouldn't do those kinds of things, especially if infront of their kids. :|