Dream2bClean

I am considering (need to) get myself to AA. I went to NA before I was pregnant several times unfortunately and always say people there with babies or kids and wished the kids werent there the babies did nt bother me too much. I now have a very good 10 1/2 month old and have no child care (at all) when i am off work at night or on the weekends, want to go to AA, but dont want to bring her w/ me b/c I m already stressed about gouign adn although she is usually an angel it will interrupt her normal routine and I dont know if she will cry or something.

I know I need to go, just dont know how I can. What do people at AA really think about people bringing babies? Honestly?

Thanks

Music

Take your baby and ask if anyone minds her being there. You can always get up and walk out for a few minutes if she gets upset. Kind of like going to church or a movie. Just do what you have to do.
I've known some of the larger groups in my area have someone to watch kids. Check it out.

GlassPrisoner

If you're serious abour getting sober, you'll find a way. If you have friends that know you want help, then I would think they'd be glad to offer a helping hand. And, I've seen babies in the rooms too.

When I first started going, I was walking 3 miles one way to get to meeting. Not the same exactly, but you get the idea.

GoodPerson

If you can't find child care, you can't find child care. Go anyway, ask if the baby is bothering anyone and be compassionate if they say she is (I bet she's awesome even if she cries!)

I promise you, if you are respectful of others, they'll be compassionate toward you.

Go.

Godspeed.

Astro

We have quite a few members that bring their babies. If they cry and it's disrupting the meeting the parent will usually either take the baby outside until they settle down, have someone else do the same, or stand up near the back of the room and bounce, feed, or burp the baby to keep them calm.

Hey, the majority of us love having babies at our meetings!

Tazman53

Take the baby, trust me & the others, if AA lets in wet drunks, babies & children are more then welcome! I have seen them in the rooms from newborn to thier early teens, I have never seen any one object, if anything you will meet more people and get a lot of help with her........ heck you may feel left out of holding her!!!

GrouchoTheCat

Where I am babies are fine,

Members will even help mothers with babies and kids so the moms can stay in the meeting.

I love to see kids anyhow, and crying is simply part of what they do!

Ted

Sugah

If AA didn't accept children in the meetings, I may never have gotten sober. Mine were older -- 9 & 12 -- but I see many little ones, including my sponsor's 11 month old. What a better visual reminder for us?

And when you get sober when your kids are young, that's a double debt of gratitude...

Peace & Love,
Sugah

mike_mass

Take the kids.

snowgoose

Deleted accidental double post. Please see below.

snowgoose

Hi, Want2Bclean:

It really sounds as though your young one would not be a problem at meetings. Perhaps as a toddler, it might be another story, but even then, it may be fine. To me, the test is whether a child or children make it impossible to focus on the real business of the meeting, which obviously is speaking and listening to AA issues.

I won't be a Pollyanna and say that the presence of children is never a problem. I have seen uncontrolled children make meetings and other AA gatherings extremely unpleasant. I've watched parents simply sit there like beached whales while their precious young ones tore up the place and made the room impossibly raucous. My background is teaching public school, so I know the parents are, by their sad lack of direction, simply preparing their children for a tough time adjusting to getting along with others.

On the other hand, the appropriate presence of children is an unmatched delight. And your attendance at meetings is probably key to your sobriety, which is critical for your children who are all of our future.

Blessings and wishes for success from the Snowgoose.

Tazman53

Amen!!!!

hjwlfamily

my local AA directory lists places i can go that will provide child care for me, do you have anything like this? i have to say that if i were in a meeting a woman came with a baby, i'd help her out with the child if it meant she'd stay. good luck, wish we lived close by, i have kids too so i know how hard it is to attend the meetings. big hugs.

Sugah

A young woman with a baby came in tonight -- a very welcome sight, as she'd been on the missing list for awhile -- and she kept apologizing every time her baby made a peep. I kept whispering that it was okay, playing a bit with the baby. Had I not been chairing, I still can't pick one up that size & help her out, but one of the wives of a member came and took the baby out of the room for a bit. She was unsure at first if she should let her, but I gave her a nod -- that the lady was okay. Then she relaxed and seemed to feel much more at home and less self-conscious.

I think reassuring folks that it's okay is our job.

Peace & Love,
Sugah

barb dwyer

as long as you take responsibility, and don't let crying or something disrupt the meeting ... no one in our group minds ...

koko

I've taken my children to open meetings many times (they're little) and never encountered any negativity.Some have commented on how its good to see them there and most know how difficult it is for you to even finally get to AA so if you are doing what ever it takes to get sober take them and dont worry it will be all good.

parentrecovers

hey want, your baby is lucky to have a mom who cares enough to find recovery. and i personally love kids at open aa meetings , being that i'm a mom and all too..

blessings, k