A close family member is a single parent with a 2 1/2 year old boy. She has always been a bit off the rails and has had quite afew problems with various men. We have known that she had a problem with drinking for a while but only realised just how bad it was when she came to stay for a week with other family members (it was my DS's first birthday and they live about 270 miles away). She was suddenly really chatty one night and I suspected she had had a drink. Same happened afew times and her mum was looking for some things for her son and found vodka hidden in her case. She kept poping up to her room and coming down smelling of alchohol. Just worryed as if this is normal then she drives her son all the time and I presume that this means she is drinkdriving with him. She was banned 3 years ago for drink driving but presumed that she would not do it as she had her son in the car but now I am not sure. While she was here she really lost it with her son and smacked him really hard (I would say she hit him actually in the chest and he bawled for ages). Also heard her hit him in another room when he was not doing as she said and then when he cried she came out saying he had hit his head. So worried about her son and his safty (she leaved him with whoever can take him if she wants to go out) and has stolen alchohol and money from her mum and dad when they have been away. Sure he is not safe but not sure what we can do. She is very good at hiding it and doesn't think she has a problem so if anyone came to see her, would they just leave thinking everything was ok? She has had social service visits before and has convinced them everything was fine (think one of her neighbours reported her) Don't want him to be taken into care but when do you step in? Should we wait until something happens or could this be too late for him? Anyones experiences would be greatly appreciated.