Drunk parents: 'Merry' Christmas!

Diplomatic skills will be needed to deal with parents who have taken the spirit of Christmas a bit too far, says Mary Evans

It might seem inconceivable that a responsible parent could contemplate drinking and then driving with their children, but nursery managers report that it does happen. Part of the problem is that people can easily find themselves subject to tremendous peer pressure to share the festive spirit at their work Christmas party. So, how can childcare professionals protect their charges if a parent over-indulges?

Rosie Pressland, principal of Pocklington Montessori School in Yorkshire, says the answer is to 'deal with the problem very tactfully but firmly, keeping in mind that the number one priority at all times is the safety of the children. 'We have had one case of a parent who had been to such a function. Despite a few protestations she allowed us to drive her home. We sent two cars. One member of staff drove the three children and took the mother with her in the passenger seat. Another staff member followed so she could drive her colleague home. In fact, they both stayed a couple of hours. They cooked the children's tea as one child was really very young and saw them safely to bed.'