aa meetings and children/childcare

[sigir]

So, I was looking at meetings yesterday when I had no childcare and was wondering what is the situation w childcare at meetings. None of the meetings on the listing noted anything re childcare. I searched up info and found some old threads on aa forums that seemed split. Some said non disruptive kids at open meetings is ok. Some said any kids at any meetings. Some said no kids ever. I will usually have childcare, but was wondering what your experience has been.

[Deleted]

I'd ask at your meeting, when you don't have your kiddos with you, if people mind an occasional LO. I would imagine your AA fellows would rather have you attend the meeting than worry about the kids.

The only thing that makes me cringe about having a child present at an AA meeting is the language sometimes. Frankly, some people just let it all hang out. I tried to curb my swearing when my kids were little. Sometimes, seeing a little kid in the room where people are dropping the F-bomb every other sentence makes me uncomfortable.

Anyway, I'd just ask what the group thinks.

[flex]

Like @courtneyloves said: it depends on the group conscience of that particular group what they want to do.

I attended a meeting at one time that consistently had a large attendance. There is a room adjacent to the meeting room and kids were sent into that room because it had toys and older kids could play video games without disturbing the adults. However, some people kept their kids with them (because they needed a meeting and no childcare was available. Some of those kids became quite disruptive to the point of distraction. Eventually the group voted to pay teenagers of the the AA members to watch the kids and make sure they didn't leave the room they were in, etc.

The group would pass around a basket SEPARATE from the 7th Tradition contribution if an attendee chose to contribute. The group also set up a rotating schedule so the teens of members could take turns.

So far it's been working out. Of course, not all groups have the luxury of a separate room. It is an issue that comes up a lot in AA.

ETA:  Also a lot of groups have a code next to their meeting on the meeting schedule that indicates "kids welcome" or "childcare provided" so parents looking through the meeting schedule can determine which meeting they want to attend.

[mel]

I've only been to two meetings and neither of them had children there. It's a pretty small group and most of them are significantly older than I am. I would probably feel uncomfortable with bringing my child with me. I've gone during the day while my son was in his little preschool. Do you work? Would you be able to find one that you could go to on your lunch hour?

[pinkdutchtulips]

my al-anon group allowed kids w/ the caveat that if they became disruptive that they be taken out until they're settled down.

my al-anon meeting met at lunchtime across the street from my office - the MAIN reason why i chose that meeting ! dd was in daycare/school so i didn't have to worry about childcare - bonus !