Have You Ever Driven Your Kids After Drinking?

August 5, 2009

A beer at the ballgame, a blended cocktail to cool off by the pool or a glass of wine with dinner. Lots of moms indulge in a spirit, two or a few in the company of their children. Saying cheers and knocking cups at a family get together or night out amongst friends is not unheard of and neither is loading the kids in the car and driving home afterward. Have you ever casually drank and then driven your offspring?

Source: Getty

25 Comments

3 years 19 weeks

No 18, Roarman's comment was quite obviously and clearly directed to those people who DO drink alcohol, yet won't in front of children, and therefore that would completely exclude those who DON'T drink at all. It has nothing whatsoever to do with non-drinkers, so there would be no need for those who don't drink alcohol to offer a reply or rebuttal. If you don't drink, who would expect you to do so in front of your children? No one, that's who. Can't get much more simplistic than simple common sense.

3 years 38 weeks

To Roarman, "I don't get people who don't drink in front of their children" Well, I don't drink in front of my daughter, but that's because I have always hated the taste of alcohol. Should I drink in moderation in front of her just so she doesn't grow up to be a drunk? I don't think so. I know that is being a bit too simplistic, but so was your comment.

lickety split 3 years 41 weeks

probably, at some point. my husband and i aren't really drinkers, but i'm sure there has been a time over the last 11 1/2 years where one of us had a beer or a glass of wine and drove home from a friends house with the kids in the car.

Sarana 3 years 41 weeks

It also depends on the person. I know I'm not fit to drive after one drink so I don't. But I think for some people 1 drink is not a problem. One is the maximum though.

3 years 41 weeks

When we go out to dinner I usually have a drink before the meal gets to the table. By the time we are done I am pretty much back to sober. And for those of you who say, I dont even drink in front of my kids. WHY? Are you ashamed of your behaviour? Maybe you shouldnt drink. I think if you are responsible about it, why hide it. COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY! BAck to the topic about driving. As parents it is up to you to do what is best. Would I drive after 1 drink, sure, if I have eaten well and didnt drink on an empty stomach. If I had a drink and still felt a bit tipsy, well then I should be smart enough to not drive till I know when I'm ready. EASY PEASY!

masonsmama 3 years 41 weeks

If having one drink and driving was the same as impaired driving, then we wouldn't have "legal limits" - anything at all would be illegal. But the fact of the matter is that for the average person, having a drink or two isn't going to have a major impact on their response time or driving abilities. It's a bit absurd to try to categorize a glass of wine with dinner to someone getting drunk or even buzzed and driving. And just because you choose to not drink ever in front of your children, no need to demonize people who don't have issues with it. I think we'd all agree that drinking to a level of impairment and driving AT ALL is a bad decision, but I'm certainly not going to sit around for hours waiting to be 100% clear of alcohol if I've had a beer at a baseball game or something!

Roarman 3 years 41 weeks

I've driven my children home after going out to dinner and having one or two drinks, why wouldn't I? Some people with their height and weight could get a DUI after one drink. I don't get people who don't drink in front of their children. The reason we have such a high underage drinking problem in this country is that we treat alcohol as something bad instead of teaching how to enjoy it responsibly. If used in moderation and responsibly, alcohol is fine. If you model responsible drinking, your children will eventually follow.

Roarman 3 years 41 weeks

esk4 3 years 41 weeks

I don't think these people are saying having one or two drinks and then driving immediatly! whats wrong with having a drink or two early in the night then driving home later? if you have one or two drinks at noon is it ok to drive at 3 or should you wait until 6, or do you have to wait until the next day?

runningesq 3 years 41 weeks

mstrauss, I completely agree. If I'm driving I will only have ONE drink, and even then I'll wait a while before I drive. Most people would be shocked at how little it takes to be IMPAIRED (not under the influence). I have defendants come in that honestly didn't feel "too drunk" to drive. Like ^^ said, it's not worth the risk !

mstrauss 3 years 41 weeks

2 drinks may mean that you aren't falling on the floor drunk, but it can certainly impair your judgement when you don't think it can. AND if you are totally sober after those 2 drinks, if you get pulled over for any reason, you are totally screwed. Why even take the chance? And it's not exactly sending a good message to your kids either. If it is just you and your kid(s), jsut don't drink. I mean, do you really HAVE to drink?

skigurl 3 years 41 weeks

again, these stories are sad and whatnot, but 2 drinks is different than being wasted

luckyme 3 years 41 weeks

I have had *A* beer ONE, normal sized beer out to dinner and driven with my daughter. I would never have more than one, ever. One of my biggest regrets to date was not calling the police on my alcoholic uncle when he filled his water bottle with gin and proceeded to get in the car and drive his family home (after he was already wasted). I was only 12, but I'll never forget it, and I am so thankful that nothing happened to them because I don't think I would have ever been able to forgive myself.

luckyme 3 years 41 weeks

I have had *A* beer ONE, normal sized beer out to dinner and driven with my daughter. I would never have more than one, ever.One of my biggest regrets to date was not calling the police on my alcoholic uncle when he filled his water bottle with gin and proceeded to get in the car and drive his family home (after he was already wasted). I was only 12, but I'll never forget it, and I am so thankful that nothing happened to them because I don't think I would have ever been able to forgive myself.

skigurl 3 years 41 weeks

i don't like the anonymous comments either but i wouldn't say comment #3 is way off basedrinking one or two drinks over the course of an afternoon/evening event or whatever is nothing...i don't have kids and i would never have more than one or two when i was in their presence anyway but to have a pina colada at 3pm and a glass of wine at 6pm and drive home at 9pm? well that's just fine. this post makes it seem like parents who drive after having one is the same as parents who drive after having too many...and frankly, i would never drive after having "too many" no matter who was in the car with me

skigurl 3 years 41 weeks

i don't like the anonymous comments either but i wouldn't say comment #3 is way off base drinking one or two drinks over the course of an afternoon/evening event or whatever is nothing...i don't have kids and i would never have more than one or two when i was in their presence anyway but to have a pina colada at 3pm and a glass of wine at 6pm and drive home at 9pm? well that's just fine. this post makes it seem like parents who drive after having one is the same as parents who drive after having too many...and frankly, i would never drive after having "too many" no matter who was in the car with me

medenginer 3 years 41 weeks

I don't drink in front of my children or keep alcohol in my home.

runningesq 3 years 41 weeks

I had a woman in court the other day that blew a .20 (that's about 2 1/2 times the legal limit of .08 here in Md) and had her six year old daughter in the car.You would be very surprised at how little it takes many people to be impaired. Remember that buzzed driving IS drunk driving ... you don't need to be throwing up/ running around with a lampshade on your head/ can't see straight to be convicted of a DUI.

runningesq 3 years 41 weeks

I had a woman in court the other day that blew a .20 (that's about 2 1/2 times the legal limit of .08 here in Md) and had her six year old daughter in the car. You would be very surprised at how little it takes many people to be impaired. Remember that buzzed driving IS drunk driving ... you don't need to be throwing up/ running around with a lampshade on your head/ can't see straight to be convicted of a DUI.

Smacks83 3 years 41 weeks

So I'm guessing that poster #3 is trolling for some shock value? I hate these anon comments options, and this my friends is why.I don't have a little one myself, but I've seen it before. The "Oh, I only had like one pina colada like an hour ago" or something to that effect. I don't like it, mostly because I grew up being driven home by my dad after parties where he's had one too many(unfortunately very common with a lot of my male relatives). It used to make me cry in the backseat as quietly as I could.

Smacks83 3 years 41 weeks

So I'm guessing that poster #3 is trolling for some shock value? I hate these anon comments options, and this my friends is why. I don't have a little one myself, but I've seen it before. The "Oh, I only had like one pina colada like an hour ago" or something to that effect. I don't like it, mostly because I grew up being driven home by my dad after parties where he's had one too many(unfortunately very common with a lot of my male relatives). It used to make me cry in the backseat as quietly as I could.

3 years 41 weeks

sometimes you gotta do what ya gotta do! don't make it a big deal lilsugar. Two cans of beer ain't much!

Kimpossible 3 years 41 weeks

Absolutely not. If I'm the one who will be driving I do not drink, period.

kurniakasih 3 years 41 weeks

After I have my son, I haven't had a drop. So, No.I wasn't a big drinker anyway before that, I was always the designated driver since I was usually the only one who didn't drink at a bar.

kurniakasih 3 years 41 weeks

After I have my son, I haven't had a drop. So, No. I wasn't a big drinker anyway before that, I was always the designated driver since I was usually the only one who didn't drink at a bar.

Link Love

25 Comments

You Might Also Like