I’ve never been a heavy drinker. But I’d be lying if I said I haven’t, throughout many stages of my adult life, enjoyed a stiff cocktail to take the edge off a difficult day.
When I first became a father to boy-girl twins, that all stopped. I could barely find time to shower, let alone organise a trip to the bottle shop. So I replaced the bourbon with babies and the two glasses of Pinot Grigio with a double pram.
At least, for a while.
Some well-known parents discuss their first experience with alcohol and why it’s different for kids nowadays. Post continues after video.
Then my babies stepped firmly into the Terrible Twos. And with it, a desire resurfaced to relax after a long day of parenting with a cold drink in my hand. I didn’t overanalyse it. I just fell back into my old routine. That was, until a few weeks ago.
My daughter, Stella, walked into the kitchen and saw me holding a drink while I was cooking dinner. She stopped, looked up, and pointed to my glass. I asked, “What, sweetie?” And she replied with, “No Stella. Dada’s drink. No Stella”.
She knew. Just from looking at it, she knew.
Top Comments
I agree completely. I think the best thing this mindset teaches is that whatever the hour, there’s no shame in calling Dad (or Mum) for a lift home should even the best laid plans go wrong. Alcohol can get you tipsier quicker then you’d anticipated, your friends might disappear on you (or you on them), cash supply can dwindle, anything can happen on a night out regardless of how responsible you are. Knowing that your parents understand that booze happens can be a lifesaver.
I kinda feel like this discussion, while valid detracts from the assumption that to be a parent we have to be able to drive..? I live in Scotland where we're not even allowed one pint and drive any more. Doesn't make my kid any safer meaning I have to abstain to get to a hospital quickly. But it's a crappy yardstick on how guilty I feel after half a bottle of wine on a Friday. Knowing if have to call an ambulance should some mystery ailment require it.