One in 11 children in Ireland are living in families adversely affected by alcohol.
*Jack is 10-years-old. He lives with his Mam and Dad, his 5 year old sister, Emily, and his 18-month-old brother, David. This is a typical day for Jack:
8.15 am
Mam has one of her headaches again and Dad is gone to work. I had to get Emily ready for school and change David’s nappy. No time for breakfast – there’s no milk anyway.
9.10 am
Late for school. And I had to wear my tracksuit bottoms – my school trousers are in the wash since last week.
10.15 am
In trouble over not having my homework done.
10.45 am
I’m starving
11.10 am
In trouble over not listening. I’m worried about David – is my Mam still in bed with her headache or is she minding him? I just remembered there isn’t even any milk for his bottle.
12.15 pm
No lunch – there wasn’t any bread or food for lunch at home. Conor gave me some of his. I wonder did Emily get anything to eat?
1.15 p.m.
So tired – Mam and Dad kept me awake last night with their fighting and roaring. I hope Mam doesn’t forget to collect Emily from school again
2.40 pm
Time to go home. There better be something to eat at home. Hope my Mam isn’t in one of her moods. I won’t show her the note I got from my teacher – she’ll just start shouting at me and I’d be afraid she’d hit me.
3.05 pm
Mam has cuts on her face from when she kept falling last night. And she’s real narky. Why does she drink wine when it makes her dizzy and fall over? I’m worried she’s going to hurt herself and have to go to hospital
3.45 pm
Just back from the shop – Mam gave me money to get bread, milk and beans so I can make beans on toast for me, Emily and David. David keeps asking for his milk.
4.10 pm
Mam says I can’t go to football training today – she’s too tired to drive
Source: Irish Independent, 04/04/14
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