‘I went to a play date at someone’s house. As I stepped through the front door, the mom giggled, ‘Mimosa time!’ My body froze up.’: Mom shares fear of judgement over sobriety, ‘Alcohol free shouldn’t require an explanation’

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“I went to a play date the other day at someone’s house. Almost the moment I stepped through the front door, the mom giggled ‘Mimosa time!’ and my body froze up. 

I wasn’t prepared for this. 

Most times, when I’m heading to a social gathering, I have time to prepare. I mentally prepare, I physically prepare (I always bring a kombucha with me), I emotionally prepare. 

I think about what I will say when someone asks why I’m not drinking. I think about how deep I want to get in the conversation — because some days I’m ready to go there, and other days I want to talk about anything BUT that. 

Today, because I was so caught off guard, I probably looked like a deer in headlights. I almost said ‘Yes’ and thought about just pretending to sip it. But I said, ‘Not right now, I’m good thank you’ and the conversation veered to something else. 

But it came up again about 15 minutes later. And again another 15 minutes later. And I was practically banging my head against the wall, mentally thinking, ‘Why don’t I just tell her I don’t drink?’

But I didn’t. I was afraid she would think I wasn’t fun. I was afraid she wouldn’t want to have more play dates with me. 

I read a meme yesterday that said, ‘I determine my kids play dates by which mom I want to drink wine with.’ 

Being alcohol free can truly feel ostracizing. And it’s strange to think alcohol is the only drug that we have to explain NOT using. 

Time to change the narrative. Alcohol free is a choice that should not require an explanation, embarrassment or fear of condemnation.”

Courtesy Celeste Yvonne

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Celeste Yvonne of the The Ultimate Mom Challenge. Follow her journey on Instagram here. Submit your story here. For our best stories, subscribe to our free email newsletter.

Read more from Celeste here: 

‘I don’t deserve this. I don’t deserve him. Anyone could do this better. I harbored fantasies about escape, vanishing, and death.’

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