Surviving the summer holidays without Alcohol!
Well it's here again!!! And as usual in the UK its pissing it down with rain right in time for the kids to break up!
Summer holidays are a time of joy, relaxation, and quality family time... or so we hope! With the kids off school and running wild, it's easy to feel like reaching for the wine bottle earlier and earlier each day. But before you turn into a "mommy margarita," let's explore some humorous yet practical ways to stay sober as much as we can and keep your sanity intact during the summer holidays.
The Ironic Dilemma: Kids Driving Us to Drink
Ah, the sweet sound of children's laughter... or is that actually the sound of impending chaos? As the summer days stretch endlessly before us, the temptation to pour a glass of wine at 10 a.m. just to cope with the noise levels can be all too real. But let's face it, turning into a Zombie before noon isn't exactly the best solution. Yes it might drown out the noise but its also killing a few of what little brain cell power we have left during this stage of our lives. Anyone else forget what their name is some days? Just me! AHHHHHH!
The Comedy of Errors: How Wine Won't Fix Everything
Sure, a glass of wine might take the edge off, but relying on it to deal with the stress of the summer holidays can have its downsides. From the blurry memories of family outings to the morning-after headaches, the "wine 'o' clock" lifestyle isn't always as glamorous as it seems. There's nothing less glamorous than your partner coming home to a dribbling mess on the sofa at 6pm and the smell of a whole days worth of mugs of wine. Yes i said mugs..... because you can't drink wine out of a glass in the day in case the kids see, or the postman, the people you are trying to have an important zoom meeting with or someone nips round out of the blue. Or maybe that was just me again??
Top Tips for Staying Sober and Sane
Find Your Zen Zone: Create a designated "mommy time-out" space where you can retreat when the chaos reaches its peak. Take a few deep breaths, practice some quick meditation, or simply enjoy a moment of silence to reset. Breathe......you are in charge remember......don't let them bully you!
Get Moving: Channel your inner child and get active with the kids. Plan outdoor activities like bike rides (i hate bikes but you might like them), nature walks, or a family dance party in the living room. Physical activity is a great way to release stress and boost your mood.
Reach Out for Support: Don't be afraid to ask for help from other parents, friends, or family members. Organise playdates (preferably at someone else's house) or share childcare responsibilities to give yourself some much-needed breaks.
Get Creative: Encourage your kids to get creative with arts and crafts projects, DIY science experiments, or baking sessions. Just Kidding! Who wants to do arts and crafts with the kids anyway? Worst idea ever!! Unless you love it of course then go ahead but not for me thanks. Instead, challenge the kids to a silly dance-off, a hilarious joke-telling competition, or a wacky fashion show using items from your closet. (also annoying to clean up but doesn't involve glue and glitter so the lesser of two evils). Laughter is the best medicine, after all!
Practice Self-Care: Prioritise self-care practices such as reading a book, taking a relaxing bath, or indulging in a hobby you enjoy. Taking care of yourself is essential for maintaining your mental and emotional well-being.
But the main to remember is that they won't be young for long and you will miss them so much when they lock themselves in their rooms and the sound of your voice makes them wince, so being pissed throughout the summers and not remembering these precious moments of chaos is also a bad idea!
So, this summer, let's toast to staying sober as much as we can, keeping our wits about us, and embracing the chaos with laughter and love. Remember, you've got this, and you don't need a glass of wine to survive the summer holidays. Cheers to a fun, fulfilling, and alcohol-free summer with the kids!
I am right there in the chaos with you every step of the way!
We've got this!
Much Love
Gem xxx
PS - And if you need some help with the quiet moments or some motivation to not pour that mug of wine then, for the price of a bottle of wine you can get my harmony bundle which has a quick 10 min meditation and some audio affirmations to keep you strong and sober through the summer.
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