Getting tipsy in front of the kids can harm their wellbeing

PARENTS who get tipsy in front of their children can harm their wellbeing, a report warns.

They are more likely to cause arguments, be less sensitive, disrupt routines or cause embarrassment. They may also unintentionally glamorise alcohol to their children by boasting about how much they’ve drunk.

The Institute of Alcohol Studies said many adults were unaware even low-level drinking can negatively affect their children. In surveys of 997 families from different backgrounds, 29 per cent of parents admitted being drunk in front of their children while 51 per cent said they had been tipsy.

Among children who had seen their parents tipsy, 29 per cent said they had been embarrassed, 19 per cent said they’d been given less attention, 14 per cent said their parents behaved unpredictably and 15 per cent said they argued more. Several parents said their children told them off after a heavy night out and one boy said his father was often too hungover to take him to football practice on a Sunday.

Labour MP Caroline Flint said: ‘ We too quickly dismiss parental drinking as harmless fun and relaxation, but this report shows that parents do not need to be regularly drinking large amount for their children to see a change in their behaviour and experience problems.’ NHS figures show 57 per cent of adults in England drink at least once a week. Labour’s health spokesman Jonathan Ashworth, who has spoken frankly of how his father drank himself to death, said: ‘This crucial report highlights even non-dependent parental drinking has serious health implications on children.

‘Children are incredibly perceptive of their parents’ drinking and this analysis must serve as a wake-up call to the Government.’