Still, every now and then one comes across a mercifully practical piece of parenting wisdom. The Australian psychologist Steve Biddulph recommends that, as soon as both parents arrive home from work, they should sit down together with a stiff drink. The alcohol, he says, will make them more relaxed – and thus better parents.
You give the gin to the screaming child.
Just make sure you\’ve still got gripe water* in the house: wouldn\’t want the child protection people coming around.
*Gripe water is essentially booze and sugar. An alcopop in fact which is why kiddies like it so much.
I knew it! I’m a great parent!
No, no, no. Just dip your pinky in your sherry and let the nipper suck it off.
When faced with a screaming child I find that having had a drink or two under my belt makes things worse, not better.
I discovered that they removed the alcohol from gripe water between #1 son (born November 1987) and #2 son (October 1990). I was most disappointed, having acquired the taste in July 1956.
Andrew, I suspect I still have the taste as well. Unfortunately, the kids are health freaks and refuse the whisky and sherry we offer them for dinner 🙁
They have now also removed the sugar, it’s just Dill oil