This was just featured on the Today show this morning:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16818362/

Anyone else see it? Just wondering what you all think!

I didn't see it, but I saw the promo for it. While I don't do it and probably wouldn't as I don't really drink, what is the difference if you have a glass of wine at dinner with your family and a glass of wine during a playgroup? You still have the same questions arise as far as who will drive to the hospital in case of an emergency, etc.

Again, not for me and my friends, but if it truly is only one glass with a friend, I don't see the big deal. Not really the norm, but no different than having a couple over for dinner and they drink a glass of wine, I guess.

The thing I would really question is: what sort of message does that send our children? That mommy can only cope with being a sahm if she gets a glass of wine a day? That is my concern. Personally, I don't need a glass of wine to get through my day as a sahm. I do need my ATWT though. . .

Well, I don't drink at all, so I'm sure my opinion on alcohol will cloud my judgement on this issue.

One of the reasons why I don't drink is that I don't like the way it makes me feel. One or two glasses of wine doesn't relax me; it makes me feel weird. My response time isn't as quick and I feel like my mind and my body are just all over the place. Perhaps my body just can't handle alcohol or maybe I just never drank enough to build up any resistance to it. So, IMO, I don't think drinking a glass or two of wine during the daytime when you are the sole caregiver and have to be 100% around your kids is a good idea. Now, once the dh is home and the kids are off to bed, I don't see a problem with a mom have a glass or two of wine in the evening. Should an emergency arise, at least there is another (hopefully sober) adult in the house.

I saw this this morning and was going to post it.

It sounded like they were just talking about a glass of wine while getting together with their friends. I don't see why it would be any different than having a glass of wine with dinner.

As far as "what message does it send to our children?" I think there is a huge difference between drinking every day to cope with life and having a glass of wine with our adult friends to celebrate a mom's day together.

I did not see it. I have read about it before. I am not to comfortable about it but will have a beer or a glass of wine in the evening. Mostly it is about driving home or taking care of the kids. I have one drink and I get tired. I guess my take is before I had kids I did what I want. Now for a few short years I don't need to drink to socialise so I'm all there for them. What someone is comfortable with is up to them. If they're drunk, I would not stand for that. I would have to make shore they got home ok and the kids were taken care of.

I like a glass of wine with dinner or an evening of relaxation every now and again, but to just meet up for a playdate and a glass of wine no. I just dont think is neccasary to have with a playdate. I would think the company would be the same with a glass of water, coffee, tea, soda but that wont cloud your judgement when taking care of your child!

The woman who was on, Melissa, she writes the blog www.suburbanbliss.net, and I read it every day. I was so happy to see her on there this morning.

I don't drink at all, let alone around my kids, but I see nothing wrong with what these women were talking about.

__________________

I think it's a great idea and I have done it. Not during playgroup, which we almost always hold in the morning but at other activities. In the summer we often get together with friends in the late afternoon before our husbands get home and it's not uncommon to have a beer or a wine cooler. We have several other families we get together with often for afternoon/evening parties or dinner out and we always have alcohol at those events and I don't really see the difference.

Since I am just recently a SAHM, I have had very few playdates with other moms. However, I think that it really depends on the situation. I probably wouldn't have a glass of wine at a morning playdate, since I don't normally drink in the morning. But, if it were a late afternoon playdate and it was just one glass of wine, I wouldn't see a problem with it. I guess I just don't want it to be a big deal to my kids as they get older. If they never see me drink, then they can never see how it can be to be responsible with a glass of wine and not over-do it. I have get-togethers with friends that have children and we will have dinner and drinks, but no one gets drunk. The kids have their "kid" drinks (juice boxes) and the adults have an "adult" drink. If you are eating food and sipping your drink slowly, you will not be impaired in case of an emergency. Now, if you and your playdate moms are downing BOTTLES of wine...um, different story.

__________________
www.myspace.com/vioburn

Frugal is being wise with your money and resources and cheap is forcing everyone else to.

Check out my blog, I'm starting to add more to it, as I can...www.ginnyv.com

I have to laugh because every playgroup I've attended started at 9:30 or 10 am. A little early for a glass of wine!

On the flip side, we're Catholic. Every Catholic gathering I've known had wine associated with it. I still tell friends about a Catholic potluck I attended. On a couple of tables there were a few main dishes and a couple of desserts. Then across the way on the 'drinks table' there were rows and rows of boxed wine - all open and all being used. It was so funny. From then on I decided the Catholic philosophy is, "You're a sinner. I'm a sinner. It is okay. Here have a glass of wine!"

And yes, some of the playgroups we've joined were through the Catholic church but I haven't been offered wine at any of them - again due to the early hour. Some weekend get togethers have included wine and beer but I really never thought anything about it - children being there and all.

My children have seen me drink wine, beer and an occassional mixed drink. Yes, I have invited friends over in the summer where we sipped on a margeritta while the kids swam in the pool. It was never a big deal. We don't do it all the time and it isn't an expected thing. It isn't like we're getting together to drink.

How many people are going to have beer at their house on Super Bowl Sunday? Will the children still be around? Will the women forgo drinking anything just so they can watch the children while the men scream at the TV?

I do believe there is still a social taboo against women drinking alone. My husband grew up in a small town in middle America. I know it would still be shocking to even suggest that a couple of women would go out 'just for a drink and to talk'. It simply isn't done. Of course, California isn't middle America. In CA, wine is big business.

I also believe one of the value decisions we face as parents is how to teach our children about adult-only activites and why it is okay for us to do but not for a child. I have already decided that I want my child to grow up with a healthy attitude about drinking alcohol. It isn't illegal and it is a pleasant thing to do when you're an adult and you are drinking responsibly. I model that behavior for my child. I don't make drinking alcohol taboo and I don't glamorize it either. It just is.

__________________
"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."

My blogs:
Oh!: http://oh-cookie.blogspot.com/
The Foundation Club: http://thefoundationclub.blogspot.com/
12 Months to a Homemade Christmas: http://12monthstoahomemadechristmas.blogspot.com/
Experiences, Not Things: http://experiencesnotthings.blogspot.com/

If you'd like to be friends on Facebook, PM me.