Shona Sibary and Liz Fraser debate on ITV’s This Morning: ‘Can drinking alcohol in front of your children harm them?’

Mothers Shona Sibary and Liz Fraser appeared on ITV’s This Morning to discuss the different approaches taken around children in regards to alcohol.

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by Jessica Anais Rach |
Published on

Whilst mother-of-four Shona believes it can be beneficial for parents to take the taboo away from drinking by have a glass of wine or beer at mealtimes to unwind, Liz believes the language used around drinking is harmful.

Speaking to Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield, Shona said:

'My children - the eldest of whom is almost 15 - see me drinking a glass of wine in the evening - with my husband, with food - to relax.

Liz doesn't agree with associating the words 'destress' with alcohol
Liz doesn't agree with associating the words 'destress' with alcohol

'They see it in moderation. They don't see me drunk or staggering.

'It's naive to think children aren't going to come across alcohol when they leave home, and it's safer for them to learn about it here with me rather than by binge drinking at university.'

'Drinking alcohol should not be an everyday thing.'

However Liz doesn’t agree with every day drinking, responding:

'It's hard to disagree with this, but we're talking about the more extreme things. Of course it's a good idea for children to see parents having a good relationship with alcohol, the problem is when it's every day, when wine is on the table every night at dinner.

'Health professionals say we should stop daily drinking and make that clear to children from the ages of 0 to 10. Instead of "When Mummy's tired she has a drink".

'Drinking alcohol should not be an everyday thing.'

The number of children under 11 admitted to A&E due to alcohol consumption has risen by a third since last year

But Shona argued that in other European and Mediterranean cultures, drinking on a daily basis is normal and she would rather drink with her children then have them rebel.

'I object to the guilt trip mothers are when they have a glass of wine at the end of a stressful day.'

I object to the guilt trip mothers are when they have a glass of wine at the end of a stressful day.'

‘I will give my kids a drink before they go to university - half a beer or a glass of wine - so hey can understand the effect alcohol has on their bodies.

'I have alcoholism in my family and so my kids have seen the negative effects it can have. Seeing me drinking one glass of wine in the evening is not the same. I object to the guilt trip mothers are when they have a glass of wine at the end of a stressful day.'

Nearly 300 children aged 11 or under were admitted to A&E last year after drinking too much.

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