Six Ways Stopping Alcohol Makes You A Better Parent

For people who enjoy a regular cocktail, the thought of quitting altogether may be a challenge. However, most parents realize a shift in their priorities when they have their first child.

Parents who are considering putting their enjoyment of adult beverages aside may find encouragement in the following ways stopping alcohol makes you a better parent. 

Sober Nights Make for Easier Mornings 

From the dreaded hangover to a general reluctance to get out of bed when the alarm goes off, a night of drinking frequently leads to a slow start the next day. Small children are typically early risers.

To be sure, parents need all the energy they can get when it’s time to start a full day of caring for children.

Alcohol is a depressant; therefore, no longer drinking gives parents one less reason to feel drained when it’s time to allocate their energy to the kids. 

Eliminating Alcohol Increases Focus

Parents often feel like they have a million things to remember on a daily basis. Many people enjoy feeling “loose” after having a drink or two.

However, this looseness can directly impact a parent’s ability to remember important tasks and complete them with accuracy and precision. Cleaning, cooking, homework, and extracurricular activities tend to pile up very quickly.

Skipping alcohol can help parents efficiently attend to all the items on their to-do list without missing a beat. 

Drinking Decreases Safety

There are some instances in which parenting requires quick reflexes. For example, if a child swallows a foreign object, having the ability to stay calm and respond quickly and appropriately can mean the difference between a situation escalating and becoming a severe emergency and averting a potential disaster.

Alcohol slows the drinker’s reaction time. Therefore, a parent who is under the influence is likely to experience delayed cognition, which can result in the parent having a slower response time when seconds matter. 

Removing Alcohol from the Home Reduces Juvenile Drinking

Underage drinking sometimes begins in the home without the parents’ knowledge. Children grow up with increased awareness and curiosity about alcohol when they see their parents regularly consuming it.

If parents keep alcohol in their home and fail to store it, children are sometimes able to access their parents’ alcohol and experiment with it at an early age. Children who have unlimited access to alcohol in early childhood may be at risk of developing alcohol and substance abuse problems as they grow up. 

Quitting Drinking Has Health Benefits

Parents generally want to be around for their children for a long time. Therefore, it is essential for parents to look after their health.

Eliminating alcohol can help grownups reduce their calorie intake and ultimately drop excess pounds. Researchers believe alcohol intake can influence certain types of cancer.

Eliminating alcohol may reduce the likelihood of developing these types of cancer. Maintaining healthy habits such as carefully selecting food and drink choices and getting regular exercise are practices that directly influence children’s diet and exercise habits and overall health. 

Avoiding Alcohol Sets an Example for Children

All parents have a right and responsibility to speak to their children about the effects of alcohol and the very compelling reasons for minors to avoid drinking. Parents who also decide for themselves to abstain from drinking set an example for their children by demonstrating that alcohol consumption is not a decision that is to be taken lightly.

Furthermore, children who see their parents living managing everyday life and attending parties and celebrations without drinking learn that they, too, can navigate the world and normally live without feeling pressured to partake in alcohol. 

Whatever a parent’s reasons for abstaining alcohol are, communication is essential when it comes to protecting children and raising them to understand the very adult responsibilities that come with drinking. Parenting is made up of teachable moments.

Often, the first step toward instilling specific values in children is for parents to set a positive example themselves. Choosing to avoid alcohol is a healthy decision that offers many an array of benefits for parents and for the children they are raising to become healthy, responsible adults.

It’s estimated eight out of ten high school students have tried alcohol at least once. People who start drinking alcohol at a young age are more likely to become alcoholics later in life. That’s why it’s important to talk to your stepchildren about the risks of drinking. Get some tips that will make it easier for you to talk to your teen about the dangers of drinking.

To learn more about alcohol addiction, please visit https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/alcohol-abuse/.

About the author

Chris Crawford is a freelance writer from Atlanta, Georgia. He’s passionate about recovery and helping those who suffer from drug or alcohol addiction.