by Clay Nichols
Member since:
January 12, 2007

Beer at Kids Birthday Parties?

September 25, 2007 10:14 AM EDT
views: 57 | rating: 10/10 (13 votes) | comments: 26

Serving alcohol at a kid's birthday party (to the adults, mostly)?  An absolute requirement?  A really bad idea? Both?

We're filming a segment on this topic in the DadLab Studio today.  Add a funny or insightful comment here and we'll read it on "air."

 Thanks for doing my job for me!

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Comments: 26

Priscilla (wishing I was in Costa Rica) ~. Sep 25, 2007, 10:20am EDT
No way! In fact I won't even go to a birthday party for children if there is going to be alchol present.
Bridget ♥ Sep 25, 2007, 10:21am EDT
I say absolutely not! I know people who do and I think it's absurd! It's a kids party NOT a party for the adults! Heck, we didn't even serve alcohol at our wedding!
A requirement? Only if your family is alcoholics. Beer isn't a kiddie drink, and if the adults can't go an hour or two without a beer, then there's a big problem with them they likely aren't ready to admit.
Nanina Hawk Sep 25, 2007, 10:26am EDT
I wouldn't serve beer. Now if I had one in the fridge and someone asked for it, they could sure have it. But planning on serving beer for the adults at a kids birthday party is just plain a no-no.
Clay Nichols Sep 25, 2007, 10:28am EDT
Wow, strong anti-beer sentiment. But can't a kid party also be a social gathering for the grownups?
J. G. Weddle Sep 25, 2007, 11:10am EDT
Sorry, but I must strongly agree with Heather. Beer at a kids party is a no. If everyone can't go a couple hours with out it, then they have problems. Socialize with iced tea.
Clay Nichols Sep 25, 2007, 11:26am EDT
Hard to play the other side without coming across as an alcoholic...but...have you ever been to a birthday celebration that was more like a block party? With grownup and kids all together? More like a full family event?
golds g. Sep 25, 2007, 11:49am EDT
shocker
Rachel D. Sep 25, 2007, 11:58am EDT
I've never even HEARD of this much less seen it!
The receptionist in my office had a birthday party for her 6 year old son and ordered 5 kegs. She got so drunk, she was hung over for 2 days. BAD IDEA!
Clay Nichols Sep 25, 2007, 12:58pm EDT
5 kegs does seem a little over the top. Three should have been plenty.
Mel B. Sep 25, 2007, 1:28pm EDT
If it's a big party and there are alot of adults, we always serve alcohol, we always have someone to man the bar. Teenagers especially are always looking for a moment to get in there and test.. It is all in what you can handle and your beliefs, maybe you shouldn't ask a catholic, because we even have our priests over to drink with us.

So far we are 0 for 0.
CyberGwen ! Sep 25, 2007, 2:16pm EDT
I remember parties for kids that ended so badly because a few of the adults over did it. I don't remember them fondly from my childhood, so no!
Clay Nichols Sep 25, 2007, 3:41pm EDT
I was recently at a kids birthday party that was really more like a block party. Bunches of whole families. They had rented this inflatable slip and slide with water that sprayed all over it. There was a barbecue. Plenty of food. And coolers of juice boxes. And wine and beer.

There was one guy who might have had a couple that decided to get on the slide toward the end of the party. I think he tweaked his knee.
Clay Nichols Sep 25, 2007, 3:42pm EDT
Oh, right. That was my kid's party.
Clay Nichols Sep 25, 2007, 3:42pm EDT
And me on the slide.
Mel B. Sep 25, 2007, 3:44pm EDT
hahah!
Shawnee G. Sep 25, 2007, 5:37pm EDT
I personally think it is a really bad idea. I have seen some ridiculous parties that were more for the adults then the kids.
I think parents that serve alcohol at a child's party think that the parents have to be able to unwind to be around the children, which means that the parents expect this fun and joyous event to be stressful and not fun.
You should be able to enjoy your child and other children without having to have a drink or get drunk.
David C. Sep 25, 2007, 9:34pm EDT
Hey Clay--I too was a bit surprised about the strong reaction here. adults having beer or a glass of wine has been pretty common in my experience as a kid and adult. a child's birthday often seems like an excuse for a bigger social gathering. seems OK to me if it's in moderation.
Brenda S. Sep 26, 2007, 4:10am EDT
If a parent chooses to stay at the kids' party and hang out with us, we usually offer a beer or wine cooler, but never more than one or two. And there is always food involved too, so we are not sending people off with alcohol on an empty stomach. Everyone has a good time, no one gets hurt or drunk.
June b. Sep 27, 2007, 7:49am EDT
my opinion, but if children grow up around adults that drink, they will feel it is okay. It isn't, it only leads to trouble.
Janna O'Donnell Sep 27, 2007, 8:17am EDT
As tempting as it might be to dim the chaos with alcohol, I don't think it's a very good idea.
Clay Nichols Sep 27, 2007, 12:04pm EDT
I'm starting to think our Gather tribe is not very comfortable around alcohol. So far the comments are 4 in favor of beer at birthday parties, 11 against. Interesting. The daddy and mommy bloggers that I polled -- the vote was almost unanimous for beer. Maybe I'm just reading the wrong bloggers. We're filming this segment in a few hours, so if you want to weigh in and have your comments read "On Air" jump on in!
Leslie "Missy" T. Oct 4, 2007, 1:54pm EDT
I would say no if it's a younger child, but if it's an older child maybe.
jax e. Oct 21, 2007, 9:29am EDT
i would say no to planning for beer. if someone asks for one, then fine. but there should be no full out drinking. the point of the party is to celebrate a birthday child. the fun and games and supervision should be for them

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