Alcohol and youth sports

I tried to look at both sides of this issue... but I think I agree with you Linkat.

This is a youth sports event and it should be centered on the kids. There is often a problem with kids getting alcohol during these events. Having parents indulging during a kids sporting event doesn't help.

I am against it.

I probably wouldn't participate but I wouldn't really be bothered by it unless they were showing up drunk at the game.

I kinda agree with you - I am not bothered by it -- just found it odd and possibly just not the right place. At least at my older daughter's game - it was just them having a little and no one was obvious or drunk or anything.

I have heard of one instance --- it was an away tournament where you stay over, that the parents got so out of control, the hotel asked them not to come back the following year.

Some of these bigger venues have restaurants/pubs that serve alcohol. I never really thought one way or the other, other than thinking a fitness type place seems an odd place to have beer and wine.

Until recently a parent told me the newest facility which is in my town was going to open a sports bar over looking the basketball courts. This parent thought it was a good idea (now granted he seems like he enjoys a few). I kind of shrugged - then this other dad mentioned I don't know if it is a good idea, some parents get out of control without any alcohol imagine adding alcohol to mixture...although most parents are actually pretty good, I've seen some and I'd have to agree there are some you wouldn't want to see with alcohol flowing through their veins.

It's not really the "right" place but it isn't that wrong either. For some people sports and drinking just go hand in hand. People do often get emotionally involved with sports outcomes and I can see how drinking could make this worse. I'm sure it's really humiliating for kids to see their parents get out of control so that might sway me into thinking a no alcohol policy might be a good one.

I don't think kids are harmed from being exposed to responsible drinking.

As far as the health aspect -- I'd be willing to put beer and wine up there as healthier than almost any of the alternatives like soda, sports drinks, etc. that are served in such places.

Drinkers are gonna drink. No matter what.

And some don't do events where there is no chance to drink.
And some do events because they can drink.

I don't know the answer; just sharing an observation after all these years.

This is the reason I am against it. I have no problem with social drinking in front of my children... it lets them see me drink responsibly. Part of drinking responsibly is that you don't need to drink all of the time. You can have a drink at a New Years Eve party while not having a drink at a little league game.

I was surprised to see how many parents held beers in their hands as their kids came up to the door at Halloween last year.

Halloween in my neighborhood is a frenzy for the kids and a bacchanal for the parents.

It's wild!

If I had kids, I wouldn't allow my kids to ride in the car with any of those adults who were drinking at the games, no matter who they were or how "responsible" they were being.

I would probably also inform any other unknowing parents of kids who might also ride in the car with those drinking adults so they can make their own choice about their kids riding with them.

When I was in high school, we lost a car load of kids in a fiery flip over after they were out drinking after a football game. Before that, my uncle, his wife and five young kids were hit by a drunk driver and badly injured. They all managed to survive but required many surgeries and metal body parts to help them do so as they grew into adulthood. I have a very low tolerance for anyone drinking and driving, no matter who they are.

That is a point - I guess I figured there was one parent that was driving and not drinking. I know often times my husband and I both attend so one of us is driving. Not that I was drinking at these events. Just thinking (maybe hoping someone is driving that isn't having a drink).

I know often times now as my daughter is older and working frequently on the weekends, I tend not to have any wine with dinner as I usually will on a weekend night; I realize I need to pick her up later and I really do not like to even have one drink if I am driving especially drving a child.

It is for two reasons - one it isn't a good idea although I realize one drink is not likely to be a problem, but also yt does cross my mind that the kids see this -- in other words, they will see me have a glass of wine and then get in the car and drive - I would not want them to consider ever doing that.