Do you share parenting responsibilities with your child’s other parent? If so, you probably cherish the time you get to spend with your child. While it may not be as much as you would like, you understand that every moment is one that can be enjoyed and used to foster a healthy relationship between your child and yourself. This is especially true around the winter holidays as families around the world gather to spend time together, often sharing in large feasts and day-long celebrations.

For better or worse, alcohol is often a component of holiday celebrations for many families, and, for the most part, beer and wine create relatively few problems. In some cases, however, overindulgence and abuse of alcohol can present a serious danger to your child, possibly leading to the restriction of your parenting time during the winter holidays.

Avoid Drinking to Excess

If you choose to drink during in front of your children during holiday celebrations, be sure to do so in moderation. As an adult, you have the right to enjoy a few glasses of wine or a champagne toast in the company of your friends and family. Drinking to excess, however, can be very dangerous, as drunken behavior can often be unpredictable and, possibly, frightening to your child. If overindulging in alcohol makes you louder and argumentative, limit yourself to a drink or two or avoid drinking altogether while your children are around.

Under no circumstances should you even consider drinking and driving with your children in the car. The risks are simply too great. Not only could you be pulled over for driving under the influence, but you risk causing a serious accident that could severely injure or kill your children.

Restriction of Parenting Time

Illinois law allows a court to restrict or limit the parenting time of a parent who is found to present a serious danger to his or her child’s physical, mental, emotional, or moral health. If you have a history of getting drunk at holiday parties and endangering your children, you could be at risk for restricted parenting time. The court has the power to order you to abstain from drinking prior to and during the time with your children, as well as to order that you can only see your children under the supervision of another person. While such restrictions could put a damper on your holiday plans, the court is primarily concerned with protecting your child’s best interests.

Working Through a Restriction of Parenting Time

If your past behavior has led the court to restrict your parenting time, an experienced Orland Park family law attorney can help you understand what your next steps should be. Call 708-518-8200 to schedule a free consultation at Kezy & Associates today and get the quality legal representation you deserve.

Source:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=075000050HPt%2E+VI&ActID=2086&ChapterID=0&SeqStart=8350000&SeqEnd=10200000