HI Jessica, yes I have had a similar experience. My mum is a compulsive gambler. All our family nights revolved around gambling..playing cards for pennies etc. I never remember her playing a normal board game with us.
Like most kids I loved the arcades by the sea side. I loved to play the penny machines etc, but once I got old enough to pass for 18 , my mum took me to real casinos. Looking back it wasn’t that she wanted to bring me … It was just a good cover for her. I didn’t need much encouragement I guess, because I loved the machines straight away. I was 13.
I still find it really difficult to say no when my mum wants to go. I find it really difficult to Want to say no. It’s like all my good intentions disappear. This has limited the visits I make to my mum, and also the time I spend with her, which makes me feel sad and guilty.
Jessica, I understand how difficult it can be. With the best will in the world it is really hard to say no to your parents about anything . It is difficult to explain as it makes them feeL criticised. Do your parents recognise that gambling has become compulsive for them? Has it caused money problems?
I think you rightly recognise that you need to put space between your parents and you, or at least have another activity planned so you can’t go. I find the concept of MAT very useful..barriers like money, access or time.. Take one of these away and you won’t be able to gamble.
I’m sorry I haven’t been more helpful. It’s a situation I find incredibly difficult myself , and one which usually leads to my relapsing.
I guess I was quite lucky my dad did not like gambling, was unaware of a lot of it, and worked very hard so we always had everything . I found it unusual that I got so much more pocket money than my friends. (Like a huge amount).Their mums used to buy their clothes . I always had so much I could buy my own, so maybe my dad saw more than I realised.
Keep posting . Know you are not alone. I think for most of us something has triggered this compulsion. A lot of people who become compulsive gamblers have been exposed to gambling at a young age, but many people manage to stop regardless.
As well as these threads there are also groups on here where you can chat . Check them out. They are really helpful