Two Years Sober: Clear. Present. Unshakeable.

Why Sobriety Matters in Family Court

When you’re a parent in high‑conflict custody battles, clarity is everything. Judges notice consistency. Kids feel stability. Opposing counsel seizes on weakness. Sobriety gave me back:

• Mornings that matter instead of foggy recoveries.
• Prepared court documents instead of rushed, reactive replies.
• True presence with my kids instead of “I’m too tired” excuses.

CustodyBuddy was born in that same clarity: to help parents like us document, analyze, and respond with credibility—without losing our humanity.

The Road Here Wasn’t Smooth

I didn’t drink to party—I drank to cope:

• A marriage marked by control and coercion.
• Uprooted every two years with two autistic boys.
• The grief of losing my stepfather during COVID.
• The unthinkable—being torn from my children, feeling that maternal bond snap like a live wire.
• Vision challenges (Stargardt) that mean “simple” tasks cost extra energy.

On paper, I was high‑functioning. Bills paid. Lunches packed. Smiles in public. But that glass of wine became a bottle, and the bottle became a leash.

I clawed my way to one year sober, slipped, and had to start again. That reset was two years ago today.

What Helped Me Hold the Line

CustodyBuddy Tools

• Report an Incident 📆 to track custody breaches instead of emotional spirals.
• Email Law Buddy to draft replies—calm, assertive, not reactive.
• Family Law Case Analysis Tool to break down complex documents when I felt too drained to think.

Simple Swaps & Systems

• Coffee over wine; a brisk walk over an anxious spiral.
• Pre‑decisions: tomorrow decided tonight—clothes out, plan set, phone parked.
• One rule: I don’t drink. Not “can’t.” Not “shouldn’t.” I don’t.

Wins I’m Claiming

• 730+ clear mornings, and a fraction of the regrets.
• Hundreds of steady pages—affidavits, blog posts, evidence logs—written with credibility intact.
• CustodyBuddy’s backbone: a free, parent‑powered platform turning pain into power.
• Boundaries that hold—with tech, with people, with my inner critic.
• Resilience modeled: my kids see recovery not as shame, but as strength.

Tools That Help Me (Amazon.ca Picks)

Recovery Tools

• Listen B* tch Affirmation Cards — bold affirmations for daily encouragement.
• Em & Friends Gentle Reminders Oracle Deck — gentle prompts to stay grounded and present.

Parenting Supports

• Co‑Parenting Planner: A Shared Journal for Separated Parents — a guided journal for two‑parent teams to log schedules and communication.
• Child Custody Planner 2024 — calendar‑style organizer for custody dates and parenting logistics.

Court Preparation Materials

• BALAPERI Fireproof 3‑Ring Binder Accordion File Organizer — fireproof, portable organizer to keep affidavits, orders, and evidence secure.
• Controlling Your Divorce & Building Your Case — plain‑language guide for navigating family court with confidence.

If You’re Where I Was

You don’t need a dramatic crash to begin. Start with one decision: one clear morning. Tell one safe person. Replace one habit. Guard it like oxygen.

If family court is part of your story, use CustodyBuddy’s free tools to bring clarity to the chaos, document what matters, and show up prepared, steady, and credible.

Gratitude

To God, for grace. To my boys, for being my why. To the hard days, for being my training ground. To the work, for keeping me aimed at something bigger than me.

What’s Next

Year three is about refinement: steadier rhythms, deeper rest, and widening CustodyBuddy’s reach—still free, still parent‑powered, still turning pain into power.

This content shares personal experience in the context of family law. It is not legal advice; consult a qualified professional for guidance on your situation.

Two years down. A lifetime to go—clear, present, fully here.