Book Nook - Wife Mother Drunk: An Intergenerational Memoir of Loss and Love

 From the outside, Emily Redondo’s life looked picture-perfect: four healthy kids, a loving husband, a suburban home, and a calendar full of school pickups and soccer games. But behind the PTA meetings and birthday cakes was a secret she kept for decades—drinking from morning to night, hiding alcohol around the house, and even stealing it from grocery stores.

In her upcoming memoir Wife Mother Drunk: An Intergenerational Memoir of Loss and Love (Rise Books, Oct. 21, 2025), Redondo peels back the glossy veneer of the “perfect mom” to show how societal expectations of motherhood can hide serious mental health struggles and substance use disorders.

Unlike many recovery stories, Wife Mother Drunk doesn’t promise a neat “rock bottom” and redemption. Instead, Emily examines the messy, nonlinear reality of chronic relapse while exploring the generational trauma that set the stage for her addiction. Her honesty offers hope—and permission—for other women to acknowledge what’s really happening behind the scenes.

I had a chance to interview Emily to learn more.

Why is there often a link between pressure to be perfect and hidden issues like addiction?

Perfection is a setup that guarantees failure because it’s impossible for us to achieve it. Still, the image of a “good mom” is alive and kicking us with thoughts of inadequacy, shame, and embarrassment when compare ourselves to moms who seemingly have it all together. It feels like failure and when we fail, it’s painful. Addictive behaviors or substances are the pain relievers we hide from view because all moms what to present themselves as the “good mom.”

Why do mothers face harsher judgment about substance abuse than other people?

The stereotype of a substance abuser is the direct opposite of a tenderhearted and self-sacrificing mother. When much of society still views addiction as a choice, judgments and opinions are vicious for mothers in areas where men and fathers often get a pass, because our primary role involves the innocence of children. 

How does generational trauma shape coping behaviors, and how can parents break the cycle?

Trauma is our body’s response to severely disturbing experiences, and it carries through generations by way of behaviors, emotions, and thoughts. A child with secretive parents who don’t talk about feelings grows up to keep secrets and hide feelings because to them, it’s normal. Cycles can’t be broken until someone sees what’s happening and is willing to change themselves first, but it’s possible to do. Difficult in a multitude of ways, but it’s worth it. 

Why isn’t recovery always a pretty picture for social media? 

True recovery isn’t a straight line that leads to joy and peace. It’s a complicated mess full of unexpected ups and downs, so to scroll through social media and only see people “living their best life” can really make someone feel alone and more depressed. 

How can staying away from social media be beneficial?

Primarily, it keeps present in our everyday lives and gives us actual time for new ideas and more connection in our day. Social media scrolling is habit-forming and robs me of the thousand things I wished I could do when I was in the bottle. It’s easy to forget aspirations and interests. I want to be here for my kids, be a better example, and make new memories with my family.