My mother in law moved into our house. She is constantly trying to parent my kids. And the worst part is that she sits in my spot on the couch.
Hmmm... whatever your in-laws may believe about drinking and brewing, you say that their argument is that you spend too much money on brews and brewing. I neither know nor care how much you might spend on a hobby - or on a pleasure, but if what you spend means that what your wife and you can spend on things that you need is sharply reduced then you may need to tackle that issue. BUT if what you spend on your hobbies has no impact on necessities and other discretionary spending that you might make, then the argument your in-laws are making is nonsense. Of course, what you might consider is next time your in-laws bring up how much you spend on brewing you tell them that for every dollar you spend on your hobby you give X to a charity... if the money was the real issue that might be a tougher response for them to dismiss...
That would never happen in my house. My MIL is pretty descent woman and watches the kids frequently. It would the be visiting angels or the nursing home. When people can't walk, talk, feed or toilet themselves, they need professional help. Caring for the elderly is something I can't do.
I have a career and a life, so its a commitment I can't make. The elderly when their mind goes, or they loose control of their environment, they say nasty things because they loose that filter, my kids won't be around that kind a thing. I realize not all are like that. It can be disturbing for a child.
My mother is in a nursing home and feared going there terribly. She was a control freak. My mother's mind is sound but used to say the most viscous things when she could speak. Like adopting me was the worse mistake she made in her life. Openly and vocally discussed suicide as a threat to get her back home. A few times in front of my father, ~40 people in the nursing home cafe and front of my son. She's tried punching at me and spitting on me too. I laughed at her when she tried to spit on me and only spit on herself. Some become like spoiled brats.
Think of Tony Soprano's mother late in the series....
Despite all of this I'm a good son and see her weekly.
Maybe OP should... say something like "Your daughter married me, and she's happy--I didn't marry you."
Yeah, pretty direct, but sometimes you have to simply define the boundaries.
i don't know of any scripture against drinking alcohol (in moderation) - if there are some, or one, please let me know.
that being said, if they cannot provide such a scripture then they're making it up.
i don't know of any scripture against drinking alcohol (in moderation) - if there are some, or one, please let me know.
that being said, if they cannot provide such a scripture then they're making it up.
i don't know of any scripture against drinking alcohol (in moderation) - if there are some, or one, please let me know.
that being said, if they cannot provide such a scripture then they're making it up.
Just be honest and direct. Next time there's a snarky comment, simply tell them that you find comments like that hurtful, and ask that they please be more thoughtful. Get your wife on your side.
And Martin Luther brewed beer.
Some things that have helped me when this topic comes up with others:
1. Show them the ingredients. Its literally just water, malted barley, hops and yeast. Keep some extra on hand to explain what goes into it. I don't know what goes on in peoples minds, but when they see the ingredients they say "That's it?", like there was some special ingredient like devils piss that went into brewing.
2. Explain the science and process. I'm an engineer, so I enjoy the chemistry and science behind brewing more than the process of brewing. I read something on brewing chemistry every day. Something as simple as explaining fermentation temps for brewing a hefe and how the different temps produce different tastes.
3. If you drink around them, show control. I rarely get drunk, and I hate when it happens (well, the next day I do), but lets be honest, it happens from time to time. Especially with it being football season.
4. Explain/brew a session homebrew. It confuses non-drinkers when you say I am enjoying a low-alcohol beer. Let them know that its not about the alcohol all the time. I think they expect you to brew or find the highest alcohol beer you can, and pound it till bedtime.
5. Bring up low to moderate amount drinking studies. Here's an article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/alcohol-guidelines-no-riskier-than-driving_uk_57bab613e4b0f78b2b4a87e3
6. What gets me is people will condemn you for brewing when you eat clean and exercise (such as you are doing now). They say something about it, while they have a coke in their hand with 50 grams of sugar and while they eat their fried chicken. People know I don't drink sweet tea or cokes. They know I try and eat healthy. I also try and feed our daughter as healthy as possible. They are amazed that she eats salmon and veggies at 15 months. Ill usually ask which one they think is healthier, my 1-2 beers I drink, or those 2-3 daily cokes and fried **** they have? Usually shuts em up quick. Another thing I mention if they pound sweets, is the fact the portion of their brain that lights up when they eat sugar, is the same portion that lights up when a cocaine addict takes a hit.
How about inviting them to a brew day?
FWIW, Im an ordained minister and you can tell them wholeheartedly I bless your brewery. I can send them beer and tidings if I must
As of 3 minutes ago, I am now officially ordained.
From where? The University of Phoenix Seminary?
It should not matter what his idea of moderation is, his life, his beliefs.
If he were asking the in-laws for money to pay bills, yet turns around and has a top of the line brewing system, then they could have a right to say something to the OP about that.
If his drinking was affecting his quality of life, in turn affecting their daughter's quality of life, then they could have a right to say something.
I try to life my life as a good human being, I do not go around scolding others for their choices, they will be the ones dealing with the choices that they have made.
I am by no means bashing religion. I just think that society spends too much time trying to live up to a certain image, yet shedding that "skin" behind closed doors.
give them some scientific reasons why its not bad, and they are wrong. I will post some examples. This my not work though, as religion and science dont really get along
http://www.menshealth.com/health/have-a-beer
http://www.care2.com/causes/6-health-benefits-of-drinking-beer.html
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