Who even came up with the notion that alcohol makes parenting easier? Seriously, I want to know. When did this notion of drinking a substance to calm and relax us enough to be able to handle our kids pop up?
All I know is it's grown like wildfire in the past 5 years, but it's based on a lie. Alcohol DOES NOT make parenting easier.
Waking up with a raging hangover and having to deal with your kids. I remember those days. Barely making it out of bed, and if I did, I was hugging the toilet for dear life. Then I had my son saying, mommy, 50 times, and I reacted in a manner that I wouldn't have if I hadn't drank. I was miserable and taking it out on him. What's worse is that it was self-inflicted. He didn't do anything; he was just being a child.
I was irritable. Anxious. Tired. Feeling like a piece of hot garbage physically and emotionally. And no one else caused me to feel this way. I did it to myself.
This belief that alcohol is the key to getting through motherhood is downright false. Sure, it may give you a temporary escape from the kids fighting, the constant laundry, and having to do it all. But what it really comes down to, though, is you're overwhelmed.
There are so many other things that you can do for yourself to make it so that you're not just putting a band-aid on how you're feeling but actually resolving the core issue. If you're overwhelmed, don't run to a substance that will ultimately cause more overwhelm. Solve the real problem in the first place. Get a laundry service. Order your groceries through Instacart. Have your significant other/friend/family member watch the kids so you can do something by yourself. Set aside 30 minutes in your day to read, meditate, exercise, draw, or whatever activity you want that will recharge you and give you the space you need to decompress.
Give it a chance, and I promise you that you'll see alcohol isn't the answer to parenting.
I have ONE spot left for the 30 Day 1:1 Coaching Program. This month's bonus is I'm including the 60 Day Alcohol-Free Challenge for FREE when you enroll in 1:1 coaching. Message me (@sobermomcoach) to see if it would be a good fit for you!