Hiya Mrs. Wright!
I’ve got family visiting soon, and I am in a dilemma. My sister-in-law, whom I’m not close with, will stay at my house with her husband for a few days. It is known in the family that she has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. While I no longer drink alcohol, my husband does, so we have a balance of NA and full-proof options in the house. I am anxious about my sister-in-law drinking too much at my home or when we’re out to dinner. Is it acceptable to approach this topic with her? Or should I stay out of her personal choices? I’m not quite sure how to navigate this, and I’m very uncomfortable around drunk people.
Thank you!
Anxious in Seattle
Dear Anxious in Seattle,
Goodness, that’s a doozy, so buckle up! You want to be a hostess-with-the-mostess, but keep your groove on without a tipsy guest invading your zen? You’ve come to the right place! Here’s the deal: you’ve already got a radar on for “drunk people discomfort,” and that’s your inner queen whispering, “Don’t let that nonsense in your space!” MRS. WRIGHT (that’s me, darling) is all about having an escape plan ready.
First rule of thumb, you’re the boss of your casa. You’re the ruler of the remote, the protector of your peace, and the head honcho of what’s allowed through your front door. So, here’s how we’re gonna do this:
Option 1: Politely (but firmly) tell your sis-in-law that your home is not a party palace, and BAM—recommend some fabulous Airbnbs or hotels nearby. Tell her the “vacation vibe” is calling her name—far from your home, but close enough to grab lunch together. You’re being kind, but you’re also being so not sorry.
Option 2: Take your liquor cabinet on a secret vacation—aka hide all that booze away like you’re prepping for a hurricane. You’re making a safe space for yourself, and trust me, there’s no shame in this game.
Now, when you’re eating out (we’ve gotta keep it classy), remember: never let sis-in-law become your ride-or-die chauffeur. Keep your own wheels on the ground because the second her glass gets too full, you’ll be ghosting like Houdini. You’re not about to be trapped in a tipsy ride-share; you gotta make a stylish exit. She can Uber home, but you? You’ll be in charge of your exit strategy.
Or, get sneaky and hit up a place where drinking is frowned upon, like a cute breakfast joint that doesn’t even know what “brunch cocktail” means. Or, if dinner is a family sitch, call for pizza. Everybody loves pizza—and you can wash it down with craft soda like a fizzy superstar.
Here’s the bottom line—your comfort matters more than any family drama, and you’ve earned the right to feel good in your own space. A little prep and thoughtful conversation with your hubby will go a long way. You two need to be a dynamic duo, tag-teaming this situation like pros, all while keeping the vibe chill and fun for everyone.
So, take a deep breath, channel your inner peace, and keep living your best, buzz-free life. You’ve got this!
Sincerely,
MRS. (W)RIGHT
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