Oct 07 2009

Parenting At Its Worst

Category: Blog

Last night, my fine man and I attended the U2 concert at the Georgia Dome along with 100,000 other fans. U2 put on an incredible show, but it paled in comparison to the show in the seats directly in front of us.

We found our seats before the opening band started. A nice-looking family of four (Mom, Dad, and two teenage girls) were seated in front of us, eating their dinner. We briefly talked with them about the concerts we’d attended and those they’d attended. Having never seen U2 before, they were very excited to be there.

Appearances can be deceiving.

Finally, Dad gathered all their trash and took it to the trash cans. He returned several minutes later with three beers, handing one to his wife and one to his teenage daughter. All three of them quickly downed the alcohol. Dad got up again and purchased more beer. In my head I’m trying to convince myself that the teenage daughter is 21 or older, but I just couldn’t do it. The other daughter drank her Coke.

By the time the opening band finished, the teenage daughter had consumed three large cups of beer and took her mom’s cup of wine away from her. During the 30 minute intermission, the teenage girl passed out cold. Her mom nudged her dad, pointing to his drunk daughter. He shrugged his shoulders, stopped the beer concession guy, and bought another beer for himself. At the end of the concert, the parents roused their drunk daughter and took her home.

I do not know her age, so she could have been 21. But still . . . parents buying a large amount of alcohol for their young daughter, knowing she’s getting drunk? Something feels really wrong with that.

5 comments

construxlearning

5 Comments on “Parenting At Its Worst”

1)

Tonya
October 7th, 2009 @ 8:37 am
Well, that is just crazy!! However it doesn’t suprise me at all…. So many parents these days take the easy way out and think it’s more important to be “cool”, rather than put in the hard work to have a balanced parent -child relationship. What they are doing will only backfire on them when their child is old enough to realize how very lazy and shallow their parents have been. I feel sorry for those two girls….
2)

Karen Davis
October 7th, 2009 @ 8:39 am
I just wish this family could see my friends who lost their 17 year old son just a few months ago. His death was caused by a one car collision where he was the driver. He had been at a friend’s house where the parent had supplied the alcohol. I can’t understand why parents do this. This is a sad case of a parent trying to be a friend rather than a parent. Our family units better turn around or our country will definitely being going down the tube. As a teacher, I see the impact of the broken family unit more and more each year. I would like to call all Christians to pray over this critical need.
3)

Sandra Brown
October 8th, 2009 @ 9:13 am
I witnessed a similar incident as we were disembarking from our ship on the final day of our cruise. An adult couple with two teenage girls were leaving at 7:00 am and were waiting in our area to walk off. The girls were giddy, drunk, and reeking of alcohol. It was a pathetic sight, the final lasting impression of a wonderful cruise to Alaska. Many parents need a wake up call before it is too late for the children, and children need to be taught by responsible adults the consequences of alcohol, drugs and all that follows. Even Solomon, who had everything, prayed for an understanding heart and wisdom in his leadership role with his people. Shouldn’t we, as parents, do the same in our relationship with our children?
4)

construxlearning
October 8th, 2009 @ 10:06 am
Thanks ladies for commenting. It seems my encounter was but one of many. It is so important to “be the parent” instead of trying to be a friend to your children.

I can only imagine the issues those parents will deal with in the future as that girl expands her wings. In hindsight, I wish I would have had the courage to say something to those parents. Next time, I’ll be prepared . . .
5)

Lee workman
December 8th, 2009 @ 11:36 am
Wow wow wow unbelievable acts on some parents. Mel, Thats something about me i will not hesitate one second to speak my mind speacually on something like this. This blows me away when parents try to be cool and supply alcohol. Its the instant gratifacation that the parents are seeking. They are not thinking of long term Sorry for poor choice in words but its STUPID thats all i can say and ill pray for that girl…..