I don't have much advice, but I did want to let you know that I am in a very similar situation. I have two kids (4 and 7) and am newly separated from my husband. He has only been gone for 4 days so far, so this is definitely new to all of us. I still haven't figured out what to fully say to my children. My life has been so unbearably out of control recently, but I feel like my kids still have no concept of what an alcoholic is. I make sure to allow my kids to ask any questions, but haven't quite figured out how or what to explain to them at this point beyond mommy and daddy can't live together right now.