Following in your parents footsteps.

My daughter is growing up, well they all are really, but I'm noticing it with her more so.

I think it's school, the learning, the reading, the observing.

The ability to navigate their way around a play ground in your absence, the need to stand on their own two feet.

I notice.

I notice, that she notices.

It's got me thinking.

I need to think more about my behaviours, what impact it's having on my children, what I'm teaching them is acceptable or unacceptable.

I've been thinking a lot recently about alcohol.  I go through phases with drinking.  Sometimes I draw a line in the sand and try not to drink very much, stay in control and then other times I just drink too much and make no apology for it, I've had fun.

But now I have an audience, one that is very dear to me.  I'm conscious that my actions will impact their decision making in the future.

As a teenager, I tried my hand at underage drinking.  I've made a fool of myself, done stupid things.  At times I've looked back on those moments with regret, but now I try to accept that I cannot change the past but accept that every moment, every decision has moulded me into the person I am today.

We say, 'If I had my time over' thing is, we do have our time over in a sense, through our children.  Sure we can't ultimately control every thing they do, but we can influence them to not make the same mistakes we did.

I don't want my children, regardless of gender to get themselves into situations they may regret because of alcohol. Especially in this digital age, where people capture and share everything.  I worry for them and ultimately know that to steer them in the right direction, I need to teach them, through my actions what is acceptable.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not turning into the fun police or anything.  I still want to be able to go out and have a good time with my friends.  But I am drawing the line in the sand (again)  I do truly believe there is a happy medium and I'm determine to teach my children that.

Any words of advice from more experienced parents?

Cheers


Mandy.