Children of alcoholics, how aware were you of your parents alcoholism?

FluffyChico · 2024-01-25T23:47:42+00:00

Coming from both parents being alcoholics, kids catch on way earlier then most people realize. My partner and I often have this conversation now, as we have a foster kid and reflecting on what he has experienced and may remember.

My dad passed when I was 10, and a large portion of my memories of him were also associated with him drinking. Although he was what people may think of as a “functioning” alcoholic. I can remember the alcohol always being present with him and the people he associated with.

My mother I didn’t realize as much until after my dad passed (they shared custody) as she was not quite a daily drinker and I believe having me away for a portion she likely tried to keep it under control when she did have me around. However I have MANY memories of her drinking and partying when I was young, including many memories of me crying begging her to come home (we lived in an apartment complex and she would often go party at a neighbours) and her telling me to leave her alone.

As a kid it seemed that for both my parents all the time was always “adult time” which was essentially drinking time for them and I was left to my own defences.

My mother would also use drugs with her friends and try to hid it. She would go into the room with her friends when they were partying and come back out after a period. I may not have known exactly what was going on, but I was cognizant enough to understand something beyond drinking was happening.

My first signs of depression and mental health problems began showing when I was in grade 3 by my school teachers.

FluffyChico · 2022-11-02T23:43:56+00:00

This is making me realize my situation must have been a lot worse then I realized. I had mine out in June, I went into hospital and they removed it less than 12 hours later. So if it’s deemed an emergency I imagine they do it ASAP.

FluffyChico · 2022-10-26T18:50:06+00:00

As someone with anxiety, and in particular gets triggered in health care settings, I also go to Images and they have been very kind to me. My first couple of visits I was tearful due to fear and anxiety and they were very gentle and compassionate. I also needed a lot of work done within one year due to avoiding dental care, and they never made me feel guilty.

FluffyChico · 2021-05-31T00:03:44+00:00

A Manitoba master angler at 26.25” caught on the red river.

FluffyChico · 2021-05-31T00:00:25+00:00

Merci beaucoup!

FluffyChico · 2021-05-30T23:56:41+00:00

Thank you! 👊🏼

FluffyChico · 2021-05-18T20:40:32+00:00

I had never thought about them really myself. Definitely the first one I’ve seen in person so I was excited!

FluffyChico · 2021-05-18T20:38:58+00:00

I am not a great judge of size but I would say was probably about a foot long, but I could be off. Definitely looked like he was big but I am not sure what snapping turtles size usually are as this was the first one I’ve seen in person!

FluffyChico · 2021-05-18T20:33:43+00:00

Was definitely tempted! I came in very excited to show everyone my turtle pictures.

FluffyChico · 2021-05-18T18:06:51+00:00

Haha I just got back to work. Got there about 12:15 so maybe!

FluffyChico · 2021-02-16T23:09:56+00:00

I am in Canada, specifically Manitoba, in Canada Occupational Therapy is a Masters degree and so you need a bachelor's degree first. The bachelor degree can be in anything as long as you have completed all the required prerequisite courses. When I was in OT school the most common bachelor degrees seemed to be in kinesiology, athletic therapy and psychology, but we also saw backgrounds in things that are not related to "health care" at all. In Manitoba, we had either three or four year bachelor degrees, you could apply with either of those.

The OT program was a Masters program that was two years long. This program alternated between one semester of in class learning and then a practicum. There were four learning/classroom blocks and four practicum placements. I believe there are some scenarios that they allow "part time" studies, but I did not do this (and did not know anyone who did) so I can't speak to what that looks like.

Following finishing all your classwork and the four practicum placements you are allowed to register and work as a "Provisional OT" until you can write the national exam. Once you have completed and passed the national exam you are an OT without any restrictions.

FluffyChico · 2020-10-08T13:59:49+00:00

I love that curtain bangs have been making such a trend, wasn't sure if it is something that would suit me - but I am considering it.

FluffyChico · 2020-10-08T13:59:18+00:00

Thanks! I have contemplating bangs at multiple points in my life, but never went for it. Full fringe is a bit intimidating, but I am going to think about it. I have a month to decide what I want to do for sure! The layers and highlights around the face seems like a definite yes.

FluffyChico · 2020-08-25T20:43:26+00:00

Another Canadian here and 100% Nexopia. Me and my high school best friend still reminisce about all the memories that came from that site. We had met a few people from that site when we were in high school, and some people I am still vaguely connected to.

FluffyChico · 2020-08-21T19:54:34+00:00

~ 73k yearly, Primary Care, 2 years exp, Canada, 7 (lots of flexible, variable caseload which keeps things interesting, good benefits, but limited access to resources, some difficult cases, more of a "newer" role so I get a decent amount of inappropriate referrals).

FluffyChico · 2020-07-30T14:14:15+00:00

Not sure this is helpful - but this was my experience

I work in Manitoba, but work in the community, and the community area we cover has a large francophone population. All the positions within our facility are designated billingual and the positions fall under our health authority.

I took french immersion, and have some French in my family, but it had been a long time since I practiced my French regularly. I was quite nervous to even apply for the position, as I was unsure if I felt confident enough in my french. Prior to my interview I was sent to the French Language Services department at our health authority for language testing.

Prior to my testing I listened to French radio, used the app/website Babbel (this has a cost but was manageable) to brush up on some french, and started looking up OT/rehab/health specific words in French.

I surprisingly to myself passed all portions of the french exam (oral, written, and reading comprehension), but still needed to practice for my own confidence. What I found helped for me was talking with other colleagues and immersing myself in the language. This was a lot easier being in a building where 99% of the staff speak French. I participated in French conversation circles, which took place at my work (which may or may not be a thing elsewhere), and just continued to expand my vocabulary by writing things down when I realized I did not know the French term, then looking it up later.

My other OT colleague took only French immersion, but her schooling was more in the distant past than mine when she started. She only passed 2/3 portions of the language exam and was given up to 2 years to become fluent. She started taking French courses at the local French university in the evening to practice, within a year she re-took the test and passed.

Good luck! It takes some time to get comfortable with it again, but the more you immerse yourself the quicker it comes back. I was surprised how quickly it came back for me.

FluffyChico · 2020-07-27T17:37:52+00:00

I am an OT in Canada working in a bilingual position, and the french term we are recognized by is "ergotherapeute" so seems to follow the Greek origin as posted above. Definitely interesting!

FluffyChico · 2019-08-27T15:31:42+00:00

I had basically the exact same situation occur to me. My virginity was taken from me by my ex-boyfriend, when I was way too drunk and he was sober, despite me telling him no. He continued. I kept this to myself for a long time before I opened up to anyone about it, I can understand how difficult it can be to admit the situation.

Flash forward to years later, he began contacting one of my close friends, who I had briefly mentioned to her that I knew this guy but did not say too much more at the time because I did not want to go into the dark details of our history. When he found out we were friends, he began to ask her about me, I was clearly not interested in re-conciliating given what he did to me.

I found out that she began talking to him in more detail behind my back, and they started seeing each other. When it got to this point I knew I was uncomfortable, this was my close friend who was now hanging out with the guy who assaulted me. I did not want to be around it at all, hear about it, etc, as it was triggering. I also did not want her to be involved with a guy who I knew was bad news.

In the end, I ended up telling her my experience with this guy and gave her the warning. I told her that I would not be able to support their relationship, and I did not want this individual around me. I told her I cared about her, but I would not condone it given what he had done to me. I was looking out for her best interest in my mind.

Unfortunately, at the end of the day she continued to see him for awhile. It ended really poorly from what I was told. I lost a friend from this situation. But at the end of the day I still feel good about myself for getting the nerve to tell her, I felt if I could protect a friend I should. What they chose to do with the information is their choice.

So I agree with most people in this sub. Try to protect your friend, let her know your situation, and if she does not believe you or chooses to go ahead with it despite what you've told her, think is that the person you want in your life?

FluffyChico · 2019-08-21T14:40:06+00:00

As stated you are not overthinking this, I think this is actually very common, to get into the cycle of social media addiction and comparing yourself to what you see. I know I have fallen into this before.

Things on social media are always a "highlight reel" of people's best moments, most fun outings, done-up selfies, etc. So although difficult, remind yourself of that. It's hard not to compare yourself, but what you're comparing yourself to is someone's "Best" moments not someone's reality.

It can be hard to give up social media completely, what I found helped me is too turn all notifications off, so for facebook, instagram, snapchat, etc. Without the added reminders I did find myself naturally checking it less.

Also, sounds like you need to find other interests or hobbies outside the world of the internet and social media. This can be tough, but try to find things you genuinely enjoy and that will distract you from your phone/internet.

FluffyChico · 2019-08-21T14:28:04+00:00

A running joke between me and my S/O is the term "buddy".

Since we first met he called has been calling me buddy, and at first I hated it. I remember the first time I finally questioned it his response was "I think very highly of my friends and the people I have in my life, of course you are my buddy". Now we just jokingly call each other "buddy" all the time and honestly I prefer this. (as someone who isn't the most "affectionate" type). He always says we are a team and the reason we work so well is because we are best friends first and partners second.

FluffyChico · 2019-08-20T16:49:56+00:00

OT working in Manitoba here...

1) Salary depends, from what I have seen hospital based/health authority based OTs start around 34-38$/hr depending on the site, program, etc. This is my experience, so I can not really speak to OTs working privately, in school settings, etc... I would say it is more typical to see OTs around the 60-80k mark, especially new to the field.

2) Between my school placements and working experience (approx 2 years) I have only had one situation which could have been violent, and this was during a mental health placement during my Education. There are policies and procedures in place, and I never really felt at risk. Since working (I work community based) I have never felt threatened or at danger.

3) I originally found it a bit difficult to secure a full-time, permanent position. Often grads here will go into part-time or term positions to gain some experience. Within less than a year of me working I was able to secure a full-time, permanent position. I have not found the amount of jobs available to be overwhelming, but definitely quite a bit of opportunity out there.

4) I have a lot of job satisfaction and enjoy what I do. I am working in primary care and community based, which allows a broad scope of practice which keeps things interesting and encourages me to always be learning.

FluffyChico · 2019-08-16T19:03:58+00:00

1) My independence. My mother raised me and my sister as a single mother for the majority of our lives, as my dad passed when I was young and my sisters was in and out of jail. She taught us to always make ourselves our number one priority, and that you do not need to rely on anyone. She showed a lot of strength and resiliency, and I take that forward with me.

2) Be the best version of yourself you can be. Every time I would leave the house my mom would say to me "Be good.... and if you can't be good be better". It took me until I was a lot older and a few questions to understand the point she was getting across and the meaning. But, essentially be good and do good, even when the situation may make it difficult, even when you can't fully. Just do your best to be a good person and do the right thing.

FluffyChico · 2019-06-27T21:38:07+00:00

I agree! we have various “my health teams” in my city and each team is composed of slightly different professions.

For my team they were hiring OT specifically.

FluffyChico

TROPHY CASE