I rarely ever saw my AM drinking, but I still knew something was up. It wasn't even the alcohol at that age, it was the absent parent. She may not have been physically gone all the time (except on the weekends), but she was emotionally checked out. I remember one time someone asked me why my mom didn't come to football games to watch me cheer. I was 8 or 9 at the time. I said, "She goes to the bar on Saturdays." My grandmother was mortified and got so angry with me. She didn't think I knew what was going on. I've noticed the majority of parents who won't leave are truly oblivious and in denial of just how much damage you're doing to your kids by staying.