I’ve been pregnant and/or breastfeeding since Adam was a boy, so I struggle to remember the last time I overindulged with alcohol. The memories of hangovers, however, stick like barnacles on my brain.

It never took much for me to progress from completely sober to dancefloor queen, thinking I had moves that would rival Usher. Since having children, one whiff of alcohol and I look more like a crazy old hag having some kind of seizure.

I must say I miss the freedom of having one too many. That feeling of letting go, completely relaxing and not worrying about which child is asleep, who’s eaten, who has football training or birthday parties to attend the next day and who’s going to ask me why I’m talking funny.

I don’t miss lying in bed watching the ceiling spin until I call desperately to get off the ride so I can drive the porcelain bus. I certainly don’t hanker for the morning after when my tongue is glued to the roof of my mouth and my eyeballs scream as I raise my eyelids. The nasty breath, furry teeth and stomach muscles that are fatigued from the workout they received, not only on the dancefloor, but later over the toilet bowl. Add the calls from friends kindly laughing about all the inappropriate things I said and did, leave me wondering why I chose to have anything to drink in the first place.

Worse than all of that, is waking up to a child. One that doesn’t care if my head is pounding. They merrily climb on me in bed, and bounce on that throbbing head so my brain is rolling around inside my skull, creating echoes that pierce my eardrums. They sing songs that are too loud no matter how softly they are rehearsed, and ask questions that are impossible to process in my pixelated state.

Being out of commission is not an option as a parent. To bury yourself under the covers and have your partner bring you vegemite toast, water, OJ, cups of tea, fast food burgers and finally a bucket to have a second tasting of all of the above, is a luxury you can rarely afford when children are around. Kids simply don’t care if you were slightly over-served the night before.

The only way through is a “movie day” where you doze in and out of nausea on the couch and let them think they are having the best day ever because mum hasn’t told them to turn the TV off and go outside and play!

With an upcoming family wedding to celebrate, I'm thinking I may go hard with a lemon, lime and bitters...

Have you had a hangover since becoming a parent? How do you get through?

Kylie

I barely drink anymore purely because parenting hungover is so awful! Preferably they stay with family overnight so you can sleep in and have a greasy breakfast and strong coffee before starting your parenting shift again.

I do it every so often, always when I know there is a husband on duty for the day after, or if the little one is safely with grandma and grandpa for the next day. I do enjoy a big night out, it's nice to shake off all the mummy-ness now and then, and especially good when husband and I both get to go out together. A reminder of the naughty boy and naughty girl we were when we met.

I didn't go out dancing and drinking for the first couple of years though as I was breastfeeding. By the time I finished that I was well and truly ready for a bit of dance floor action. I have never had a hangover while in sole custody of child, however did have horrible virus once which made me chunder every time I stood up, and was left in charge of 2 year old, not sure how either of us survived - it was enough to teach me that I never want to be hungover with child in house and me as only parent on duty.

I used to have bad hangovers every weekend, I can't handle it anymore! I've had a bad hangover once since DS was born, it was enough to put me off for life! I've had a couple of mild hangovers since (the sort that can be managed with greasy foor and powerade), but nothing that has put me on the couch for a whole day. I'm sure when he's old enough to entertain himself unsupervised for a few hours I might have another go at a big night out, but until then, I'm taking it easy

ive had a hangover maybe ONCE with children around... that was all it took to stop drinking for a very long

time ! now if i want to relax and enjoy as many as i like, i make sure that i have at least one day without

kids. otherwise theres no way i can do it.

I see a lot of mothers who drink a lot still and i really have no idea how they can do it !they complain and

moan and throw up...but they still drink more...am i missing something?

It only takes 5 drinks these days to take me over the edge and leave me with a hangover. So I don't even bother drinking, it's just not worth the feeling and having to get up and tend to a child. Just not worth it at all.

sorry about the way that reply has come out ! not sure what happened , but its made it tricky to read !
i also remebered what we did when i had the hangover..... i lay on the couch...the kids did whatever they wanted and ate whatever they wanted... i think the night before was worth it though

I got completely sozzled at New Year.... rather accidentially as we were trying to get DD to sleep so we could relax/eat/drink and celebrate. Unfortunately DD refused to sleep and by the time she was asleep guests had arrived and we didn't have food to offer them (we only had stuff enough for us), so we couldn't eat our own dinners in front of them. We did however have lots of alcohol which to be sociable we started drinking with them. I was starving and got wiped out on the alcohol.

The next day wasn't actually too bad. I guess I'd thrown up most of the alcohol and was ok. I was up a 5 am looking after DD no probs (well besides a little seediness). I got some funny looks from our guests, but as I can't remember a lot of the night, I let it go. I think they were just surprise I was fine the next day.

Nurofen and a lot of water, 1st 30 mins of the day is tricky though!

+1

otherwise If I do overindulge I ensure that DP is around as well so we can both do things but movie days or wii playing work well in keeping said child occupied whilst I lie on the couch lol

I have a few drinks when DH is around and he has a turn another time. Normally i don't go over the top, but every now and again let myself go. Needless to say that is why i am planning a girls weekend in sept or so, so that 8+ mums can enjoy a weekend without kids and totally relax! Don't worry the guys get their golf weekends as well. we then all go back to our kids with fueled up energy for them.
It is never the same getting over a hangover with kids around, a real struggle, so DH takes them to a park while a few hours sleep doesn't go astray!

keanealicia - I think you've found the solution! A weekend away with the girls means a night off to relax and overindulge, then have a sleep-in, late brekkie and a chance to get over the hangover. Getting the diary out now to see when I can schedule one in ...

I rarely drink these days. Not worth the pain lol.

I enjoy a vodka on a friday night, and its usually just the one. If we do over indulge one of us will get up early o the other can get a sleepin, then we tag team and the other goes back to sleep for a bit.

i can drink while on parenting duty only if i don't need to drive and my husband is with me in the house..

i never want to get drunk not only because the hang over hurt likes hell but children can be chaotic enough in the morning.. adding alcohol to the mix and getting only a few hours sleep will only make me a zombie in the morning..