I Drink in Front of My Kids

It’s just another regular, long day. Half way thru 5pm rush-hour traffic, I realize what would be nice to take the edge off. No, it’s not a delicious cup of hibiscus tea. But it is something just as red and just as sweet. It’s wine. As soon as I get home, I run to the bathroom. (I have to pee. And after 4 kids, my bladder isn’t what it used to be.) After sweet relief, I head the kitchen and pour myself a 1/2 a bottle of wine. (Yep. I have a wine glass that can hold that much!!!!)  And I drink. I sip while I cook dinner. I sip while I check homework. I sip, and dance a bit, while plating the food.
Now, some people might look at me like a failed mother when they see me drinking in front of my kids. And trust me, I’ve gotten some weird looks before. Here’s just a quick reference of times when I drink in front of my kids:

-At the Levitt Shell, I drink beer in front of my kids.
-At a bar on a Sunday around 2:15pm, I drink beer in from of my kids.(On sunny Sundays when beer is cheap.)
-At a restaurant that sells wine, I drink wine in front of my kids.(Unless my budget says otherwise.)
-At a restaurant during brunch, I drink mimosas in front of my kids.
-Around a fire pit, I drink beer around my kids. (Unless it’s too cold outside, then it’s hot cocoa.)
-When we bowl, I drink beer in front of my kids.
-At home, I drink wine in front of my kids.
-At home, I drink beer in front of my kids.
-Whenever I feel like drinking….I drink…..even in front of my kids.

I don’t call it “mommy juice” nor do I call it a “grown-up drink.” I call it wha it is: Wine, Beer or Liquor. Whenever my kids ask what I’m drinking, I tell them. And when they asks if they can have some, I tell them no. Not because it’s a “bad” drink. Not because they “won’t like the taste.” I tell no because they aren’t old enough. Period.

I don’t believe that alcohol is bad, nor do I believe that it taste bad. So why would I tell my child that? Have I ever been embarrassed due to drinking in front of my kids? YES! When Kroger first began to sell wine, my oldest child was so happy. At the register, he began, “Mom, Kroger is going to start selling wine. I know this makes you so happy. (Now to the cashier.) My mom loves wine. Do you want her to go get some? All I could do was tell Aiden that I didn’t want to buy any wine and tell the cashier that I was ready to pay.

Have I ever been wasted in front of my kids? No. I believe that everything can be done in moderation. I don’t want my kids to grow up thinking that alcohol is some evil, forbidden thing. Only to find themselves incapable of handling it in moderation during college into adulthood. But I do want my kids to see that drinking and being drunk are 2 different things. I do want my kids to see that it is possible to drink responsibly.
FYI….I also drink tea and water as much as I drink alcoholic things.


#realworkwife

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