Drinking Diaries

Ready to read with Sofie, my favorite “good girl” beer!

Finding the time to sit down and read is challenging when running to play dates, dance classes, school, taking care of sick kids, and finding time to blog.  When I find a book I  enjoy, I curl up and read until midnight, sometimes later because the night-time is the only chance for time to myself.  Recently, thank you to Culture Mom Media, I had the opportunity to read Drinking Diaries:Women Serve Their Stories Straight Up.    I have to admit, the last books I read were the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy.  Talk about going from fantasy to back to reality.   Drinking Diaries brings to life topics that many people may be in denial about or may not think about in the moment, for instance the long-lasting impact that drinking may have on children of parents who drink often, drunk driving, and the question of “am I an alcoholic?”

We drink for different reasons: to quench thirst, to loosen up, because it tastes good, to enhance a meal, because we are addicted, to self medicate, as part of a ceremony, to celebrate, to mourn.  We drink when we’re happy.  We drink when we’re sad.  And then there are non-drinkers, for whom abstaining may be as much of an issue as drinking (Drinking Diaries:Women Serve Their Stories Straight Up). Whatever our reason is for drinking, it’s important to take a step back and think about what our relationship is with alcohol. Drinking Diaries got me thinking about my own choices, my relationship with alcohol and is making me think a little harder about what I expose my children too, not just alcohol related, but the realities of the horrible events like Sandy Hook and the Boston Marathon.  Should we keep our kids sheltered from what is going on in the world around? Living in New York, you see a lot walking to school, riding the subway and playing in the park. What is acceptable and what is not when it comes to drinking, drugs, and the topic of sex among youth?  And how do us parents approach the subject?

I have a lot of respect for the women who shared their stories.  It is hard to be open.  This is not my first post about Drinking Diaries.  Other posts included personal stories but after re-reading I realized I was not ready to share.   When I am ready, I may hit publish or go to the Drinking Diaries blog to share my stories.

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of Drinking Diaries:Women Serve Their Stories Straight Up from Culture Mom Media.  This post was optional, all opinions expressed are my own.  

Tags: alcohol, books to read, Drinking Diaries