The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
My daughter is 13 and amazingly wise and talented. We had a talk about why her father was behaving the way he was and at the end we were laughing and she walked away saying choose better next time. I laughed so hard over this. I believe I have broken the cycle and her awareness is so great already, between counseling and Al-anon and Al-ateen books for her, we have grown and have a good life right now. I am not trying to brag, just want people to know that the tools being passed down can be so great for our children. We have experienced such growth in my home the last year and I can assume only more of this to follow! Sending you all love and support on your journey's.
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Sending you love and support on your journey always! BreakingFree
Al-Anon/Alateen Family Group Headquarters, Inc. 800-344-2666
" Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional."
"Serenity is when your body and mind are in the same place."
Just the other night I told my daughter that she'd better get used to standing up to her father (he's a champion manipulator and pushes for what he wants until you give in just to get him to stop), anyway, that she'd better get used to standing up to him or she would wind up exactly like her mother. We then spent a couple hours on the couch, laptops in use while we looked up personality disorders and shared about what we were reading. It was the first time she'd identified the manipulative tacticts he uses; and made a statement I told her was the #1 thing she should take heed of; she said: "I let him drive me out of town" - the "I" being the most important - it wasn't "dad drove me out of town" but that SHE let him do it. I've tried to bring some of the things from al-anon and 12 steps to her but she's pretty resistant - though I saw that night a shift in her perceptions because she was so frustrated with him.
feels marvelous to see the difference, doesn't it?
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I am strong in the broken places. ~ Unknown
All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another! ~ Anatole France
Hi Breakingfree. don't feel bad like your bragging to share things like this. This is what the program is all about. I wish I had a daughter to teach this new way of life that I have, but I don't and that is none your fault than anyone else's. It is so nice to hear that al-anon is helping people all over the world starting at the age of newborn because mommies and daddies are becoming healthy and happy and educated. Wonderful share and youre not bragging, your expressing the beautiful benefits of being in al-anon.
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Michelle!
No one can take away your peace of mind unless you let them.
AS I have said many times, my parents went to AA and Al Anon when I was 8. I used to sit in the Al Anon meetings and I am sure I subconsciously heard everything from my colouring book. My Mum tried to force me to go to Al Ateen and even started up an Al Ateen meeting so I would ahve one to go to with no excuses.
I was very resistant I think. I am not sure why. Resentment as a child maybe?? Anyway. It must have been very disheartening for both my parents when I fell into the same traps and would not listen about Al Anon. To me... AA is what took my Daddy away.
I was so silly.
I am so glad that your children are listening and please.. continue to brag.. it gives us all hope and enlightenment.
Gives a whole new meaning to paying it forward!! Children are such an amazing blessing, we can see through them our own healing.
Hugs P :)
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Stepping onto a brand-new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation, which is not nurturing to the whole woman.- Maya Angelo
That is what recovery does.. like alcoholism is a family dis-ease... recovery spreads too!
I was walking with my son when he was 8 years old, I had almost one year sober. He asked me what I meant when I said I had to hit bottom while talking to a freind in recovery earlier. I told him.
He whistled and replied, "gawh, dad you could have asked me and you'd been sober much longer than you are now!" I'm pretty smart, ya know?"
He looked at me with a look only a child's can make.
John
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" And what did we gain? A new life, with purpose, meaning and constant progress, and all the contentment and fulfillment that comes from such growth."
Love it! As the mother of 2 and 5 year olds, this warms my heart and gives me hope. Your daughter sounds lovely, AND someone needs to brag about you! Good job Mom! hugs
