Editor’s Note: The Everymom does not encourage illegal activity and would like to remind its readers that marijuana usage continues to be an offense under Federal Law, regardless of state marijuana laws.
“It’s 5 o’clock somewhere!” That’s what a fellow mom said to me at a recent playdate as she poured a generous amount of Chardonnay into my glass. As we bonded over our children and the mutual wine between us, I couldn’t help but wonder when drinking copious amounts of wine became synonymous with motherhood.
When our host’s youngest child punctuated our small talk with cries for more food and attention, this well-coiffed mom exclaimed, “Ah! Mommy needs more wine” and continued a heavy pour into her now empty glass.
Mommy wine culture has made it acceptable (and comical) to take the edge off of parenting with alcohol, particularly wine. Social media and quirky internet memes have also compounded this contrived decorum. Take a quick scroll through Pinterest or Instagram, and you may find mantras such as, “I wine because my kids whine,” or “Mommy juice” and “The most expensive part of having kids is all the wine you have to drink.”
Look, I get it. Parenting is hard. When the day begins, I am as cheerful and positive as Mary Poppins, but when night falls, I become as grouchy and snappy as Cruella DeVille. Sometimes exercise, meditation, and positive thoughts aren’t enough to get me through the monotonous unpredictability that is parenting. I make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, wipe dirty butts, and answer approximately 25,000 questions a day on an endless loop.
At the end of the day, I need something stronger than yoga to dilute my built-up tension.
Source: Elina Sazonova | Pexels
And for many moms, that’s where wine comes in. Wine has been a social lubricant for thousands of years, and there is a kind of collective prestige in partaking in a glass of wine rather than, say, a cup of rum and Coke (or weed for that matter). Extensive studies have shown that drinking wine in moderation has a multitude of health benefits. Wine is rich in antioxidants, can be beneficial for heart health, and helps to combat inflammation. But consume one too many glasses and it can be problematic. Hangovers, dehydration, enhanced impairment, and increased calorie intake are just some of the issues when drinking too much.
Since the legalization of cannabis in more than 11 states, many moms are exploring the benefits of cannabis products where wine falls short. Helene Blanchette, president of MyJane, tells The Everymom, “We’re all aware of the benefits of alcohol detoxes – improved sleep, clearer skin, mental clarity – so with that in mind, we’re not surprised to see more women keen to explore the cannabis market.”
Look, I get it. Parenting is hard. When the day begins, I am as cheerful and positive as Mary Poppins, but when night falls, I become as grouchy and snappy as Cruella DeVille. Sometimes exercise, meditation, and positive thoughts aren’t enough to get me through the monotonous unpredictability that is parenting … At the end of the day, I need something stronger than yoga to dilute my built-up tension.
The use of cannabis products still seeps in stereotypes such as stoners glued to the couch or dark alleyway transactions reserved for the criminally intent. In fact, the opposite is true, and our societal views are slowly shifting. Lisa Weser, founder and CEO of Trailblaze, explains that “The moms I know have become increasingly curious about cannabis, and CBD in particular, as an alternative to alcoholic beverages like wine. A cannabis drink or edible can deliver the same mind and body relaxation as a glass or two of wine, but without the negatives like excess calories, dehydration, and hangovers.”
What’s more, with CBD, moms don’t need to worry about impairment, which means they can still run carpool or watch their kids at the pool, Weser notes. “And unlike alcohol, cannabis product users have reported side benefits that aren’t typically associated with alcohol consumption, such as reduced inflammation, anxiety relief, improved mood, and better sleep,” she tells us.
Which brings us to the difference between THC and CBD. Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the two most prominent cannabinoids found in cannabis, and they interact with the body in different ways. THC tends to interact with the parts of your body that make you feel mentally high, while CBD interacts with the parts that give you a body high and reduce inflammation. Just like wine, if used in excess, THC can leave you impaired, and that can be very problematic for moms whose main responsibility is their children.
Source: @equilibriawomen
However, CBD is slowly gaining popularity as the frontrunner for moms who want to take the edge off without diluting their mental awareness.
Aaron Smolen, editor-in-chief of AllBestCBDoil explains, “Getting high by smoking weed (THC) in front of your child just doesn’t seem ethically appropriate. Moreover, when your child sees such an example, he/she may be influenced to do the same. However, if weed is being switched to CBD, it’s a whole different topic. CBD has the same relieving effects as weed but doesn’t provide the high feeling. That seems way more appropriate when using in front of the children.”
Whether you’re pouring yourself a glass of Malbec or eating an edible, it’s important to be mindful of your children, who often mirror what parents do. Show them responsible habits so they can develop a common sense about recreational activities when they grow up.
And at the end of the day, hidden deep in the conversation of weed versus wine, we have to ask ourselves why moms feel the need to take the edge off. Why are moms looking to escape at the end of the day? Why has mom wine culture grown in such popularity? Why are moms exploring cannabis?
Whether you’re pouring yourself a glass of Malbec or eating an edible, it’s important to be mindful of your children, who often mirror what parents do. Show them responsible habits so they can develop a common sense about recreational activities when they grow up.
Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds, president and CEO of Family and Children’s Association sheds some light on this question. “We might be better off figuring out better ways to support women, especially moms, who struggle daily with an ever-expanding list of household and child-rearing responsibilities. Some moms will drink or smoke recreationally, but others are doing it to escape anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues that might be more safely addressed in another way.”
Source: @equilibriawomen
Motherhood is definitely overwhelming. There is an inherent amount of frustration in dealing with the mounting responsibilities, expectations, and chaos that makes moms want to reach for external solutions, such as wine or weed. What’s essential for the health and well-being of mothers, and parents in general, is adequate support in a society that falls short.
So until we, as a society, can find meaningful and practical ways to better support parents and children alike, who are we to judge?
Read More: Real Moms Share How They Use CBD Products in Their Everyday Lives
