The Fifth of July.
July 3rd, 2008
One winery
On this Fourth of July weekend, many will head to wine country. Some will be bringing their kids along. There has been some discussion, recently, if children should be allowed at winery tasting rooms and a recent piece on Time.com examined drinking patterns of our children and relevant legal mneasures.
As a parent, I appreciate that childcare is tough to secure on a holiday weekend and not everyone has the luxury of leaving the kids with grandma and grandpa. I also realize that after being at the office during most of their waking hours, parents want to spend some time with their kids.
There are plenty of parents who go wine tasting and share driving responsibilities and make sure their kids don’t get unruly and disruptive. Wine country also offers some ways to keep kids occupied - like walking through vineyards (as long as they don’t attempt any novel canopy management techniques or start harvest a tad early).
Still, I’m nagged by this feeling that wine tasting rooms are adults-only environments.
One of the things I emphasize is the development of our country’s wine culture. Part of that is making our kids understand that wine is meant to be consumed in moderation by adults. So while I have wine at the dinner table, I do not offer my kids any but I do let them smell from my glass, if they are curious. This is where I choose to model responsible alcohol consumption. It’s important that they know that there is a place and time for everything. That includes an understanding that certain things are appropriate at certain stages of our lives.
It is my hope that they will gain a healthy attitude towards alcohol, one focused on moderation and responsibility. One day, they will be at a senior prom after-party, rush a fraternity or be at a Fourth of July party. I’d like to be able to talk to them on the fifth of July.
So, whether you agree with me or not, and however you celebrate this Fourth of July, have fun and be safe.
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