There’s nothing like a mum’s night out to help you wind down from the joys of parenting and household stresses. With your closest friends, you share a few drinks and catch up on life.

But when you wake up the next day, you’re still a mum and you’ve got a gaggle of kids to feed and clothe. So follow these tips to make sure your mum’s night out is fun without getting out of control.

1. Bring Your Own Beverages

When you visit someone else’s house, you don’t have much control over what drinks they serve. It’s their house, so while you may have some input, they call the shots. If you only see alcohol on display, you’ll likely feel more inclined to pour yourself a drink.

Why not bring your own beverages? This way, you have more control over what you drink. Pack lemonade, iced tea, soda or whatever else you prefer. Then, you’ll be able to sip alongside everyone else, and you won’t feel as though you missed out.

If you plan to host a girl’s night, you should serve different non-alcoholic beverages with alcohol on the side. Each guest can choose to add alcohol or not. That’s the perfect middle ground to ensure you meet everyone’s needs, including your own.

2. Look Out for Peer Pressure

Teenagers aren’t the only ones who partake in peer pressure. Almost everyone wants to feel like they fit into a group, especially when that group features people they don’t know. It’s human nature for people to want to impress others.

Unfortunately, peer pressure can set you on the wrong track. It can actually be the difference between whether you take a drink when you previously told yourself you wouldn’t. Keep an eye out for influential behavior from your friends, especially those who are newly single, separated or divorced.

Phrases like “It’s only one drink!” may not seem harmful on the surface  -but you can quickly find yourself back at square one because someone made a comment. If your friends don’t respect your decision to avoid alcohol, you may want to make new relationships. That’s easier said than done, but you must prioritise your health.

3. Remember to Drink Slowly

Remember that you don’t necessarily have to avoid alcohol. If you don’t meet the criteria for substance abuse, you can still drink in moderation. A few drinks at your mum’s nights won’t always become an issue, especially when you make an effort to practice control.

That said, you should continue to practice control when you drink alcohol. Be sure to drink your beverages slowly so you don’t gulp them down. Additionally, you should consume water after every drink to stay hydrated. Never drink on an empty stomach, either.

4. Have a Response Prepared

It’s sometimes hard for people to say no. While you don’t need to explain why you don’t want to drink, you may think you need to prepare a response. This way, you’ll feel more comfortable when you deny someone’s offer.

Consider responses like:

•       “I don’t enjoy the way alcohol makes me feel.”
•       “I want to cut back for health reasons.”
•       “I’ve become too reliant on alcohol, so I want to fix my habit.”
•       “I’m not interested.”

These answers can be short and sweet or as detailed as you want. It may help to let people know you don’t want to drink anymore so they know not to hand you a drink. Remember to look out for peer pressure, too.

5. Offer Ideas for Activities

Does every girl’s night involve alcohol? If so, you should present other options to your friends. After all, you don’t need alcohol to have fun – and you can help everyone realise that.

•       Go out for a shopping spree.
•       Start a book club.
•       Head to the spa.
•       Try a workout class.
•       See a comedy show.

These ideas are just a few examples. While you may have a few friends who still want to drink, you’ll be able to focus on the activity rather than the alcohol. Plus, you’ll find that everyone has a lot more fun when they don’t have to sit around all night.

6. Set and Stick to Goals

Keep in mind you may not be able to control your alcohol consumption immediately. If you’re used to mum’s nights that revolve around alcohol, you’ll have to put some effort into the changes you make. That’s why goals make a difference.

For example, you might limit yourself to two drinks at your girl’s nights before you switch to cooldrink. It helps to track the goals you make in a journal so you’re more likely to stick with them, too. Plus, you could ask a friend to help you stay on track whenever girl’s night comes around.

For many people, alcohol and fun go hand in hand. But substance abuse can quickly become a problem, so you want to ensure your girl’s nights don’t turn into a health issue. These tips can help you prioritise your well-being while you enjoy time with friends.

Do you ever get to have a mum’s night out? What do you do when the girls get together? Tell us in the comments below.