Green around the gills

Hangovers are a whole different ball game when you have kids. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Hungover? Then harden up. Especially when there's a kid - or even worse, kids - to be entertained and tended to. But sometimes, it's not that easy, is it?

There's nothing worse than grimly hanging on to reality as your eyes blur without warning, your temples are bashing each other to a pulp, and the delightful trot of little footsteps on wooden floors turn into thundering hooves.

Since Mia came along 19 months ago, suffering from a hangover has actually been a rare event.

When I do go out, I make sure I have a good night.... but as the years start creeping by, and the big 40th looms, the hangovers hit a little harder.

Gone are the days when we used to be able to sleep in, go out for a leisurely breakfast of bacon and eggs, and then blob with five DVDs for $10.

Now I tend to fall into this lethargic and lazy slow motion state. My wife might call it stupefied.

It's not easy operating in this mellow delirium with a toddler hooning around. So here's a few survival tips I can recommend.

* Mow the lawns. It's constructive and walking in straight lines, with the loud monotone roar of a two-stroke engine in your control is far easier than doing puzzles, reading books, and making lunch.

* You could always take a trip to the playground with the kid(s), although be careful not to fall asleep on the sunny park bench.

* Best of all is to go for a walk. For example: a mate of mine, who'd been out "for a few beers" the night before, came around for a visit. His little fella was blissfully asleep in the pram, his wife was home with their four-year-old, and even though he looked a white fright, he also looked smiley and chilled out. There's nothing like an hour's peaceful walk to blow the cobwebs out.

Being a bloke, the day after the big night out can often mean double the pain.

As if the hangover wasn't bad enough, because you were out a bit too late and came home a little sideways, you will be made to pay by enduring an action-packed day of running errands, doing chores, and playing with the little one(s).

This is where hardening up and a brave face is the only option.

So just get on with it and think about the lovely slumber you will fall into when the day is done.

- Scott Kara

Pictured above: Hangovers are a whole different ball game when you have kids. Photo / Brett Phibbs