Hi, I admit and know wholeheartdly i'm an alcoholic and with this have always not been able to do anything outside of child time due to being a single parent.  The AA meetings are in my area once a week on a Sunday and have to travel elsewhere to get to one.  I won't leave my child (a young teen) alone that long for fear of someone breaking into our home without me there. I have only one friend to look after my child who lives 1 hour away and I have no family, I don't want to tell my friend why I need her to babysit, she is an alcoholic herself and I have never admitted my alcoholism with her.  What other options do you know of that can help me? Always I have not been able to seek help. Her father is not available. How can I ask someone to take care of her everynight without explaining why, or should I get a babysitter and not explain.? What do you think is the best solution.....have you been in this situation or know of someone who has and found the best option?

-- Edited by Honey at 15:33, 2007-10-22

-- Edited by Honey at 15:36, 2007-10-22

-- Edited by Honey at 15:39, 2007-10-22

Hi Honey,

Welcome to Miracles in Progress.

I can identify with you very much.  I'm recovering alcoholic, pill addict, and adult child.  Also single mother of 3.

When I left my husband 13 years ago my kids were aged 13, 11, and 2.

I have absolutely no family apart from my children, and my ex husband was far from helpful.  In fact he was opposed to 12 step meetings altogether.

However, I was sick of being sick and miserable, and being controlled by a disease that wants me dead.

I took my children with me to meetings.  They were always made welcome.

It was hard at times, but the alternative - insanity, institutions, or death, would have been harder, especially for my children.

Over the years I've met many single mothers in AA and we have been able to support each other.

Please give AA the benefit of the doubt.

Love and Hope to you.

from Jo.

PS. Have you checked out the MIP AA message board? Jo.

Dear Honey, Hi there! Please forgive me now if I come across brash or to strong. Thanks When you say that you can't go to an A.A. meeting is it that you can't get to one, or that you CAN"T get to one. I have many times in my Sobriety shunned meetings for every reason I can come up with. The HONEST truth is I just didn't want to go, or I wasn't ready to go, or I was afraid to go. So I didn't go! There are some meetings I will like and others I may not like very much. For me I am still that way even with as many years Sober as I have. So I go to the ones that I have a comfort zone in. I have to be around other like minded Alcoholics in the room with me. or I am in trouble mentally. I know what is good for me today and what isn't. But when I first got Sober I didn't know what was good for me yet. So I prayed, went to meetings, and read the Big Book, listened to my Sponsor and did the Steps in the Big Book along with the 12 x 12. I did go to Church right off from the very beginning and was grounded in my Faith and have continued to stay that way. Some ALcoholics disagree with having Faith in Christ and I personally don't get offended anymore that is there perogitive, just like I have mine. Many newcomers don't like God and don't want anything to do with him and that just has to be smashed. If you are going to get Sober and have a happy life with the New Freedom that is talked about in THE BIG BOOK, God is in it! He Loves You and want's to help you Stop drinking. So let's start with the First Step. O.K? I am praying for you right now. Lord God Honey is your child and want's your help Lord. She needs to put down the drink and learn how to live without alcohol. Please show her how to get to meetings, to the right people in the program that are healthy in Recovery themselves. In Jesus name, Amen Step One: We admitted we were Powerless over Alcohol that our lives had become unmanageable. Blessed

Thanks for your suggestions.  I do want to go, just I work full time and going out every night as well would be too much for my child.  I didn't think you could take your children to A.A.  I will make contact with the group in the area and find out what is best.  Thanks again and especially for the prayer.

Hello, I took my kids once. Was a little crazy, but it worked. Good luck. Liz

Hi there, For any alcoholic that has children please take them along. If you don't have a baby sitter most of the people in the rooms understand, just don't hand your child off to anyone in those rooms. There are some very ill people in Recovery so you can't trust everyone with your child. I don't mean to sound cruel but there is petifiles in Recovery in both sexes. There are petifiles that are still drinking and using out there not in Recovery so I would feel much better in the rooms getting well than out there staying in bondage without God or any help at all. Look for the Winners, Old Timers that have been around for w long time and listen to them. Get a Sponsor that knows the program and the Steps inside and out. But please please get to some meetings they are your glue to keep you together from going stir crazy in our precious little heads. I took my Son when I WAS A SINGLE PARENT AND IT WAS GREAT FOR HIM AND MYSELF. HE LEARNED ABOUT THE DISEASE, THE PROGRAM, AND SPONSORSHIP. I never felt uncomfortabel nor did anyone else make me feel uncomfrotable in the rooms. I also went to N.A. and since my Son ended up using and drinkning anyway he has been in both A.A. rooms and N.A. rooms for his Recovery altough he isn't in it yet. Lord, Praise you! we ask for your devine intervention. Please for all those alcoholics and addicts that are suffering out there in there disease without meetings, without help, or guidance. Please father place the right people into there lives that will give them the strength, peace, hope, courage, and direction to work on there Recovery sucessfully. Bringing them into fellowship with you. In Jesus name amen For those of you that are offended by my prayers don't read them if they upset you. For those of you that beleive as I do may they encourage you drawing you closer and bringing you more hope and joy daily.

HOORAY!