Dear Care and Feeding,
My husband and I both come from families of heavy drinkers, something I would say is a part of our respective cultures. Throughout our childhoods and to this day, beer, wine, and vodka flow freely at our family’s homes. My husband and I have been exceedingly careful to avoid alcohol addiction, but many of our family members are functioning alcoholics. It’s hard to tell because they’re all “regular” adults who hold down normal jobs and behave normally. But no dinner, Mass, gathering, or party is complete without cases of alcohol.
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As a result of this, my kids have no idea that alcoholism runs in both families. It’s time to start the conversation, since I was definitely drinking by the time I was their age. I’m just not sure how to talk about the genetic aspect. I feel like I’ll be throwing my family members under the bus if I point out who has a problem with alcohol, but at the same time, the genetic aspect is a really big deal.
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