Happy Hour?!?

(Nobody has to read this it is just a bit of a rant that felt good to type out)

So every morning I watch the Today Show on NBC while I get ready, this morning they did a piece that really pushed my buttons. It was on play dates for children where the mothers get together and have a drink. They called it "Happy Hour" a time in the day where they could get together with friends, their kids could play and they could have a cocktail. These mothers really had no problem with the fact that they we drinking in front of their children.

I understand wanting to have time with other people to talk about things other than Baby Einstein and diaper creams. I often wish there were people around to get together with to just hang out. But there have got to be a more healthy and constructive way to spend and afternoon.
They all defended themselves by saying "I know how much I can have," "I don't do it to get drunk," and "It is just a way to unwind." One of the women has written a book about all of this and she basically feels that people who oppose this kind of activity are just judgemental and are just finding fault in others parenting style.

I was thinking about all of this are I just can't believe how may people think that their actions don't affect others. These mothers are basically telling their children that the only way to have fun in a social setting is to have alcohol present. Then in ten years they are confused by the fact that their sixteen year old child in an alcoholic.

In high school I had a few friends that were very into partying. I know that for some people that is a phase that teenagers go through, but the most disturbing part of this is that their parents supplied the alcohol, and had the parties at their homes. I think that many parents today have given up disciplining their children, opting for a more relaxed and open parenting style. Roughly translated in to; I am a cool parent, I want my child to be my best friend, so I'll never say no and let them do anything they want and hope for the best.
A person can have a million friends and only one set of parents, do your job accordingly.