I have a very close relationship with my mum. Growing up my dad wasn't on the scene and she raised me alone. She made a lot of sacrifices for me, was a great mum and we extremely close and talk everyday. But I am worried about her drinking.
She has always drank. I remember her being drunk on several occasions when I was a child. As I got older we occasionally drank together at family meals or in the pub. But her drinking seems to have increased and I believe she drinks pretty much daily at home. She's an adult and it's not my business in one respect. But it's impacting our relationship because she isn't a particularly pleasant drunk. She picks fights and makes digs. She is irritating and I find it hard to talk to her when I can hear that slur in her voice. I can tell straight away if she's had a drink just by looking at her or talking to her. The other day I had some really important news and when I rang I picked up that slur in her voice and just couldn't be bothered to talk to her.
Then of course there are the health implications.
There have been occasions that I know she's drank while looking after my dc. I'm not saying she's been drunk or incapable of being responsible for them but I just wonder why? Why is it so important to have a drink in the day when your grandkids are there?
She goes to work, cooks, cleans, helps me with childcare and does everything she needs to do. I guess the term is functioning alcoholic. To say we are incredibly close this is one thing I just can't talk to her about. I've tried and she becomes defensive. How can I try and help or make her see the consequences of her actions? She lost her own mum last year at the age of 85 and I worry that I won't be lucky enough to have her around that long if she carries on like this.
Sorry for the long post!