I recently posted the following post on Linkedin.
“No beer at my 8th birthday party!” – Mia
As a parent, I’ve found myself becoming increasingly observant of how others navigate the challenges of raising children and coping with daily stress.
One observation I’ve made is that many parents, particularly at playgrounds or children’s parties, consume alcohol, often beer, in the presence of their children.
While I respect everyone’s choices, I’ve personally decided to adopt a non-alcoholic approach in my life, including in my parenting. This means that I choose not to consume alcohol in front of my children, and I also aim to educate them about the potential risks and effects of alcohol consumption.
I want to be a dad who is leading by example, and promoting alcohol in front of my kids as being nonharmful would be just a lie.
Interestingly, a lot of the big US podcasters started to talk about alcohol in society and its effects on our bodies. One scientific study even suggests that men under 40 shouldn’t have more than a shot glass of beer per day.
Therefore, I am proud of my daughter for her decision to ban alcohol from her 8th birthday party (for parents, of course). It’s a small step, but it’s a step towards a healthier and more mindful approach to parenting.
Maybe I’ll offer a meditation circle instead…🧘
This post reached about 2000 views, and an interesting conversation started about this topic.
Some people agreed with my point of view, appreciating the idea of leading by example. Others suggested alternatives such as non-alcoholic beer. There were also those who shared their experiences of feeling judged for not drinking at social gatherings. This diversity of perspectives sparked an interesting and respectful conversation about alcohol consumption around children.
So, yesterday we celebrated Mias 8 birthday with a big party (20 of her friends were invited) and without beer for the parents. One of the guests, a good friend of mine even acknowledged me for making this statement.
Again, it’s not about being right or wrong here, I just wanted to show how you can lead with example, without being worried about what others are saying.
Mia’s party was a huge success and we had a lot of fun, even without beer. It goes to show that you can have a great time without alcohol, and it’s a message I’m proud to share.
Love
Matthias
1 Question to Think About
Where can you lead by example in your life?