I have learned to cope. But I do feel robbed of having my mum and wish that she was here.
To the outside world my family appeared perfect.
To the outside world my family appeared perfect.
Adults
When I said Mum drank they emphatically said ‘No no no she doesn’t’.
You’d walk home wondering what mess she was in, and what you would have to do to keep the peace.
You’d walk home wondering what mess she was in, and what you would have to do to keep the peace.
‘If he loved you enough he’d stop’
The most surprising thing to me is just how many people think and feel exactly as I do and how it is all so closely linked to being a COA.
The most surprising thing to me is just how many people think and feel exactly as I do and how it is all so closely linked to being a COA.
“It’s not her that hates you, it’s the disease”
When the bell rung at 3pm, most of my friends couldn’t wait to get out of school. For me, I dreaded that sound.
When the bell rung at 3pm, most of my friends couldn’t wait to get out of school. For me, I dreaded that sound.
There was no safety net then, not for her or us
When I look back I seem to have spent a lot of my childhood cleaning, the only way I could make myself calm in the chaos.
When I look back I seem to have spent a lot of my childhood cleaning, the only way I could make myself calm in the chaos.
I am old enough to understand this isn’t my fault. It doesn’t stop me getting angry
I can’t do anything for my mother – she doesn’t want me, she wants brandy.
I can’t do anything for my mother – she doesn’t want me, she wants brandy.
I feel mum and myself tried to cope in our own way. Mine through starvation and mum through drinking
Why do I go back to her out of fear of what she is doing to herself?
Why do I go back to her out of fear of what she is doing to herself?
Never feel guilty for your parent’s drinking. It isn’t your fault
I never knew how I would feel the day I lost her as our relationship was turbulent.
I never knew how I would feel the day I lost her as our relationship was turbulent.
I have cared for my dad for half of my adult life and I’m not going to do it any more
He has never forgiven me for ‘abandoning’ him at this point.
He has never forgiven me for ‘abandoning’ him at this point.
My name is Joe. I am the child of two alcoholics
What I want my parents, and everyone else to know, is that these things that hurt the people we love.
What I want my parents, and everyone else to know, is that these things that hurt the people we love.
