So, I'm drinking more lately

[dawnbug]

You should make sure you get a baby sitter every 2 weeks to a month or so, just so you and your wife can go out and do something just the two of you.

 

[MangoTBG]

Drink less, smoke more

- Ganja man

 

[cheesehead]

I drive tiny R/C cars. It's a great way to kill time, and it's a hoot. It's also pretty inexpensive. (ZZSE if it's on sale: 10$. Cheap diecast car for wheels: 2$. Better-quality aftermarket FETs: 10$. Being able to powerslide across your kitchen floor: Priceless.)
If that's not the thing for you, there's always the large stuff (which requires a larger track that you have to drive to, but due to the reflexes involved you're not going to be drinking much anyway. Also, kids eat this stuff right up.) R/C airplanes are also kinda neat, because you can fly 'em in the park while the kids do their thing.

Or maybe you don't like overcomplicated electronic gadgetry. Few people are into it, I'll admit. Why not take up cooking? It's actually a lot more fun than you'd expect if you've practiced enough; at some point you can get rid of pesky recipie cards and play it by ear. (Ever watched "Iron Chef?") There are numerous exciting ways to burn yourself with hot flud. (I currently have a blister about 1/4" high and 1/2" in diameter from a melted sugar overflow. Admittedly, such things stop bothering you.) Admittedly, this is not the world's most exciting thing to do, but good food will make your wife happy and lead to low-alcohol parties.

You could also take up bodybuilding. Get a set of cheap free weights (20$ if you get 'em used at sports-go-round), and pump a little iron while watching TV. (I really should do this myself.) If you get a weight bench, you can put it near the TV, so you can watch the kids while doing sets. And I doubt that your wife will object to this one either.

There's also cross-country skiing, but that is truly the realm of madmen. Enter at your own risk.

 

[Sluggo]

Meh, middle-age blues, see my sig for more information.

 

[compuwiz1]

You would not be characterized as a heavy drinker. I know lots of people who drink a six pack a day, but yet still function well in every way.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

You sound like you don't have a problem yet... but it could easily become a problem. My advice: don't drink when you feel down. Maybe try to limit your drinking to drinking with buddies?

 

[BSEagle1]

If it bothers you, then stop.

 

[Colt45]

//pours a drink

 

[cshel]

I just got tired of drinking, tired of getting sick, tired of passing out and missing my weekends.

 

[skace]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
Online, people are not your friends. Even ATOT is an example. I spend to much time here . Games are teh same way.

That is kind of sad if you really believe that. There are around 7 people online that I've known for over 10 years. They are just as much my friends as anyone I know in real life. You get out of anything exactly what you put in. So maybe you've never wanted to be anyones friend.

 

[DaTT]

I don't see it as a problem. It will only become a problem if you let it.

 

[MaxDSP]

I dont see 3 beers every other day as a problem, but do you drink them to relax/unwind or because you're feeling down?

 

[biostud]

don't you have any frineds that might like to play parents for a weekend?

 

[rudder]

Originally posted by: sm8000
Spend your beer money on a babysitter.

Plus you can shag her... its a win win.

 

[Scarpozzi]

When you start waking up hungover every day, post back. Until then, enjoy.... A little alcohol won't totally kill your liver. It takes some serious binging.

 

[Azraele]

If you're worried about where you habit will leard, nip it in the bud. Find something else to occupy you, exercise, games, whatever. You don't want to repeat the cycle of you childhood, and have your little one see you as a dad with a drinking problem.

 

[davestar]

3 beers every other night is the least worrisome "problem" i have ever heard of. you're probably only concerned because of the backwards puritan views on drinking that this country has adopted. your drinking problem is what most of the world considers normal.

get into beer as a hobby rather than as an escape. figure out what styles you like (IPA's, stouts, porters, wheats, etc) and appreciate the process of drinking rather than using it as a means to and end (buzz/drunkeness)

 

[gigapet]

ehhhh do you 'need' it? if not you dont have a problem.

 

[IronWing]

There is no upside to continuing swilling beer, only the downside remains. The choice seems pretty obvious.

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: davestar
3 beers every other night is the least worrisome "problem" i have ever heard of.

By itself yes. Given his family history...no. There is a history of alcoholism in my family. If I found myself drinking 3 beers every other night, I would be seriously concerned that I'm at the start of my downward spiral.

Find other things to occupy your time. Spend more time with the family, pick up a new hobby, just whatever it is make sure it doesn't involve drinking.

 

[skyking]

Good, bad, whatever, they key thing there was

Growing up, my dad drank every night.

If this pattern of drinking troubles you, quit. Cold turkey.
If you can do that easily, good for you. If you can't, get some help.

Now that you've quit, why start again?

 

[ATLien247]

It's not so much how much you're drinking, but why you're drinking. Are you drinking to escape from your wife and/or child? Or just to relax? If the former, then you have a problem.

 

[batmang]

i drank a 24oz budlight can last night, and i never drink.
it was awesome, relaxed me, had a super busy monday so it was nice to feel relaxed.
but, i wont be doing that again for a long time.... just drink moderately, not consistantly.

good luck!

 

[bigrash]

sounds like you're drinking on a regular basis and it's becoming a very bad habit. either cut it down or stop drinking. stop trying to fall back on beer for other problems that you might be having.

 

[Nightfall]

My ancestors had problems with alcohol on both my mom and dad's side of the family. My grandfather on my mom's side really had an issue. My grandfather on my dads side decided to nip it in the bud. Thankfully, no one in my immediate family has had a problem. Thats not saying that alcohol could still become an issue.

My wife and I like wine and we have a glass or two on occassion, but otherwise we stay away from alcohol for the most part. I never had an alcohol problem and never will cause I spend my extra money on games and such to keep me entertained. My wife gets into games as well so it is never an issue for her either.

You already made the first step and acknowledged it is a problem. Your best bet is to take a step from there and start nipping it in the bud. Do other things from gaming to spending time with the wife. Maybe get a hobby. I know it will be hard at first, but there are many advantages to going this route in the long run.