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[paranoid]

Hi, I used to come on here quite a bit and lost my way for awhile. I am not a daily drinker, I am a party drinker and social drinker. I had a great couple of weeks without more than a couple of glasses of wine one night. Now, in the last 4 days I have drank probably 2.5 bottles of wine. I try to calculate what I am drinking and I actually do take less into my glass and sometimes even fill my glass up with sparkling water. The problem really is that I like to drink with the friends that I have now. They are much bigger drinkers than I am, my husband and I seem to get a long better when I am drinking because I relax and go with the flow. However, I really don't like how I feel. I especially don't like that I know my kids see the party behavior going on and I don't want them to think that is how to have fun.
I am now sitting and trying to think of ways to get my family busy on the weekends so we won't be with the frineds that want to drink. I know my husband will be upset with me because of this, but I don't like this lifestyle. I can't say I don't have fun, but I am more mad at myself than I have been in a while.
My husband and I are very much functioning people, we seem to be the type that is all work and kid activity focused during the week and then party focused on the weekends. This weekend I have covered with a bb tournament for my 10 year old, and I know that they people we will be with, are non drinkers (around kids anyway), but what about the rest of the summer when we are going camping and out on the boat? I am scared.

[bestlifeldms]

I'm back

Paranoid,

It is good that you are here. And, you are right to be concerned about the effect that this is having on your kids. As much as we would love to believe that children learn by what we say, it is proven that they learn by what they see.

They are learning about what they are supposed to be and do as adults, by watching our behavior. Setting an example of healthy life style choices is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children. The time that we loose to alcohol can never be recovered. That time is better spent creating good memories with our kids, that will last long after we are gone.

I raised 5 children, and have seen and discussed the effect of observing and living with dysfunctional alcohol consumtion has had on them. Some of them struggle with problems now, themselves.

It is never too late to make these changes. But, it sounds like your family is young. It is better to do it now and say, "I'm glad I did" than to wait until they are raised and say, "I wish I had...".

Hugs and support, :h Best

[Wolf Dreamer]

I'm back

Hi Paranoid, if you're unhappy with your lifestyle you have every right to make changes. I'm childless but I think it's the right track to not want them seeing the party lifestyle all the time. Try not to fear the future, as my mom used to say "the universe is unfolding as it should" Take it one day at a time.
Regards, Wolf Dreamer

[paranoid]

I'm back

Thanks so much for your replies. It's hard because I don't necessarily "not like" my lifestyle, I just think it isn't the best example and of course my heart palpitating the entire following day isn't so much fun either. That's the problem I do have fun, it's just taking a toll.
I appreciate both of your insights and am happy to say that this weekend will not be a problem and should be very positive, as for the next, I will have to cross that bridge when I get to it, or as Wolf said, see how it unfolds.

Thanks much