In the book, How Al-Anon Works, in the discussion of Step 1, it says, “We may never have the family of our dreams…” What is the family of your dreams? How does your family fall short of your dreams? What have you tried to do about it? How has recovery helped you to relate to your family, whether the family of origin, family of choice, or “recovery family”?.

Spencer, Maria, and Nic address these questions and others, very roughly following this outline.

What is your understanding of the phrase “family of our dreams”?

How do you envision your dream family of origin?

How do you envision your dream family of choice?

How do your real families fall short of your dreams? (Pick 1 or 2 examples!)

How have you used / can you use your Al-Anon tools and principles in your families?

Setting boundaries.

Keeping expectations realistic.

Accepting others as they are.

We may not receive love in the way we want it, but recognizing it in whatever form it may be offered.

Maintaining our own recovery in the face of non-recovery.

Recognizing/breaking out of old unhealthy patterns.

Detaching with love.

Refraining from controlling behavior.

Recognizing when we are shopping for bread at the hardware store.

Keeping the focus on ourselves.

Reflect on how your view of / interaction with / tolerance of / participation in your family(s) have changed in recovery.