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.
I didn't feel like going to a meeting today, I had a zillion other things I wanted to do but I KNEW it was the next right thing for me so I went. It is school holidays so daughter stayed home with dog and cat curled up in front of the heater watching a movie and I entrusted her with the house key for the first time ever and instructions to walk to the church at 3pm with the dog, and promised we could go and get a treat together afterwards. So she did so and as my meeting ended my gorgeous girl walked in and all of my alanon friends hugged her and fussed over her and I felt really good because I am proud of that gorgeous spunky little girl and it was so nice to have her meet my group, who really are becoming a little family to me. Afterwards she was asking me about my meeting and I broached the subject of alateen with her, which she has absolutely rejected in the past. All I said to her was "look angel, my meetings really help me to learn to make my life happy and not be upset by other people and the crazy things they do. You've had to live with a lot of crazy crap from all of the adults in your life including me and alateen is the same thing for teenagers and I think you would get a lot out of it".
Blank stare.
And then I said "And I'm not allowed to go into those meetings, it's just for teenagers and you can talk about all of the horrible stuff grownups do if you want and no-one will tell me". I guess I hadn't given her that piece of information before because she smiled and gave a huge theatrical sigh and said "FINE, I'll go. When is it?"
Quick thinker from one who knows the layout of the land. Had to scoff and smile because it seems that you're both close. I sponsored Alateen for years and use to just tell the parents "shove them in the car and keep the doors locked until you get them to there first meeting". Kinda like a hijack for real and then usually after the first meeting the wanted to come back. Rarely saw a relationship like yours and your daughters where you can say this is yours and I won't interfere and not one will tell on you and she agrees to go. Love it!! ((((hugs))))
