Reply to How do you tell your 7 and 9 year olds their dad is an alcoholic?

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Reply to "How do you tell your 7 and 9 year olds their dad is an alcoholic?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Exactly how old are they.  Be a combination of totally honest but in simple language kids understand.  Don't lie.  Don't hide. Don't paint a rosy picture.  If they ask a question, answer it honestly to the best of your ability.

Daddy is drinking too much alcohol.  When grownups drink too much, it makes them sick and they behave differently and have difficulty coping with life.  Some people can't stop drinking and need to go someplace that is sort of like a hospital, where there are doctors and nurses and other specialiEd people who can help.   Daddy will go there on X date for  x weeks.  During that time we will ... (describe whether you will see him, phone him, send him emails, or not).  Describe how everything else will/won't stay the same - go to camp? go on vacation? alone with Mom?  with other family members instead of dad? etc.

Wash, rinse, repeat.  You will have to say the same thing many times before kids fully get it.

I have been talking to my kids about alcoholism and mental illness for over 10 years.  There are long lasting effects.[/quote]

I'm in recovery and agree with this post. at 7 and 9 they aren't too young for this level of frank discussion. Consider therapy for them, yourself, and Al-Anon, Alateen when the time comes.[/quote]

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