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.
It's up to each person. I personally would not want to go with family or even friends, and if I were in the situation where they were present at the same meeting I would definitely sit at another table during the sharing part to give myself and them the space and privacy to freely share what they need to share. Sometimes we need to share about issues concerning family members which would be awkward to say the least if that family member was sitting right at the same table that you are. But, it's up to you and up to them and how comfortable you are with it.
My meeting is my time, its about me healing.
I would not bring someone you dont want to
Share in front of. Sometimes you see husband
And wife if its their child that is an A, once in
A while mother and child.
I also attended alone at first. I have extended to family and one came a few times and the others have not. Recovery (AA or Al-Anon) is truly a personal journey that we share with like-minded others. Based on your first post, I would suggest either, but if possible to get to one/two by yourself first....
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Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
Thank you all. Last night was a perfect example as to why NOT do this. At the Al Anon meeting, I would express my feelings on boundaries (the subject of the night) and yet helping my alcoholic nephew within the boundaries to help him succeed, and his father and stepmother would respond to my sharing with stating that my way was enabling and the alcoholic should be totally responsible for all transportation and other details in his life.
LU That is why cross talk is discouraged at meetings. I am glad you discovered the reason for going to meetings alone . Even if my family was not permitted to cross talk, they would wait until after the meeting and engage. I would pray about allowing more dysfunction into your home.
Agree with Betty - that is cross-talk and not allowed at our meetings here. Even if cross-talk happens, you are still encouraged to 'take what you like and leave the rest.' Your house, your rules!!
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Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
That is also why I attend alone. I did take my son to the Alanon/Alateen meeting on Sunday night and when they asked if I'd like to go into his meeting with him because it was his first time there I still said no, that I wanted to be free to talk at my own group and give him the space and respect to say whatever he wanted to them in his meeting. So that's what we did. I will admit that I was hoping he'd tell the Alateen adult sponsors that he drinks underage and smokes weed which is also illegal and that he needs help but he didn't of course! I know if he had he would have told me because he certainly has no problem telling me he's going out to "party with my bros!" Yeah I was actually hoping he'd tell those Alateen sponsors he needed help! Oh the fantasies we entertain at times in the face of this disease! Lol
