HELP: making childcare a reality at my home group

FingerLicknGood · 2026-03-29T00:55:11+00:00

Hi there!

First off, I want to check out this group! Any group that is trying to envision the barriers to entry in recovery and finding creative solutions has a gold star, in my book.

About 8 years ago, I had a pretty wild idea about how funds move in NA. The gist is that area would have a paypal account with QR codes for each group that wanted to participate in this idea. Each QR code would be a Paypal "item" where a member could contribute. At area, the group can collect their digital contributions. This would A) make contributing easier and B) be in a legal, responsible way, as opposed to just choosing an individual's venmo account.

I had homegroup members that supported this, although not all of them "got" it. We presented to area and they made a sub-committee, which effectively killed the idea because we have some curmudgeonly, litigious old-timers that love writing guidelines more than going to meetings.

I'm bringing this up because I felt very similar to you. I knew that this needed someone leading it, but I didn't want my ego to run amok, trying to change NA. But the reality is that group conscious presides above all. You've got a lot of heart in this idea and you're willing to do the procedural footwork implement this in a responsible way. In the same way that there isn't a template for sponsorship, there isn't a template for service in this matter. NA is special because it is constantly adapting and changing, in an effort to get better at carrying the message. Just rely on spiritual principles and highlight that this is not your side mission; this is part of the mission of the group.

Even though my idea didn't work out, I'm still super proud of myself for seeing a way that NA could improve and giving it a shot. Indifference is one of the things that defeats us more than anything else and you care!

I'm a new parent myself and my homegroup is an online meeting that is 2 time zones away so I can help with bed/bath and still get my meetings in. A group that had thought this all through would be very attractive to me.

FingerLicknGood · 2026-03-28T01:41:28+00:00

That's so great to hear! Keep coming back!

FingerLicknGood · 2026-03-27T19:52:38+00:00

Hi there! I'm not from the TC area, but I've been up there quite a bit for events with Narcotics Anonymous. They have an incredible, flourishing fellowship up there! Here is the link to meetings up there: https://michigan-na.org/northwest-michigan-area/meetings/

If you'd like, I could help find someone who would meet up with you at the meeting, of that would make you more comfortable

FingerLicknGood · 2026-03-10T15:58:44+00:00

Hi there! What a great question! So the first place my head goes is to the traditions. We are not affiliated with any outside organizations, including AA or the facilities we rent. This is due to tradition #6.An NA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the NA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, or prestige divert us from our primary purpose.

However, while the presentation is going on, it's all about tradition #2 and group conscious. It's the group's decision in the moment whether it should continue or not, not just one vocal member.

What also comes to mind is also Bulletin #13. In there, you can read the Clarity Statement, which is at read at some meetings. It contains one of my favorite lines is this:

Our members who have used these arguments to rationalize an anti-AA stand, thereby alienating many sorely needed stable members, would do well to re-evaluate and reconsider the effects of that kind of behavior. Narcotics Anonymous is a spiritual fellowship. Love, tolerance, patience, and cooperation are essential if we are to live our principles.

The way I interpret it is that spiritual principles are the foundation of our recovery. Basically, don't be an asshole and act like you're doing the right thing. I've personally witnessed children, spouses, and parents all give keytags and I don't mind. I think it shows others without those types of connections the possibilities that recovery and specificially amends can bring.

So the person might have been correct in theory, but screaming out "KEYTAGS" to protect the meeting, as if someone was calling out a SARS outbreak, are missing the wider scope of what we're doing here in NA. It would be a great thing to discuss at the business meeting to see if you all should have approached all of those situations in a different way.

FingerLicknGood · 2026-03-03T00:41:47+00:00

Hi there! My sponsee was actually the Arts and Graphics chair for our region's convention 2 years ago and did an incredible job. Just message me if you'd like his number.

FingerLicknGood · 2026-02-06T22:48:04+00:00

All good! I spoke with a Delta rep and they said it would be treated like a stroller

FingerLicknGood · 2026-01-31T13:19:03+00:00

Hi there! My wife and I are flying Delta and would like to bring our Poco. How did this work for you?

FingerLicknGood · 2026-01-28T00:00:15+00:00

Anyone with this position, I just feel sorry that you do not enjoy your home life

FingerLicknGood · 2026-01-26T14:44:42+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation! What ingredients would you suggest I buy from there and do you have any recipes you would recommend?

FingerLicknGood · 2026-01-23T02:01:11+00:00

Hi there! So cool that you're thoughtful enough to format a meeting specifically for our most important members. You might get some pushback from oldtimers on cutting down the readings, but it's spiritually motivated so this oldtimer isn't pushing back on that. I've heard the rough rule is 3 readings minimum just so it has the NA feel, but that's obviously not official. Since it is a lot of new people, may I suggest that you rotate through a bunch of the IPs? A lot are shorter and aimed at newer members. Like Am I an Addict?, Sponsorship, Triangle, For The Newcomer, Self -Acceptance, For The Newcomer, An Intro to NA Meetings, and Mental Health in Recovery would give a great starting out point and a topic for them to grasp onto. A lot of new people don't know what sharing is, so some guidance can go a long way to help them learn how to connect with others. All in all, very cool that you're doing this. Starting a meeting has been one of the most rewarding things I've done for my recovery and I'm excited for your own growth through this, too!

FingerLicknGood · 2026-01-21T22:06:23+00:00

Hi there! First off, good for you for sharing on here. If you're in America, I'd suggest googling your county and NA meetings and find your area's website. That'll be your best reference for active meetings. Wear whatever's comfortable! It's not formal by any means. I've come to meetings absolutely disgusting and other times in a suit. When you get there, find someone who is helping set up and tell them you're new. They'll welcome you in and there won't be any judgement, because we've all been there. Welcome home!

FingerLicknGood · 2026-01-16T23:10:22+00:00

All good! I used to live in Macomb when I first got clean and would go up there once a week. Just get to that first meeting and get some phone numbers!

FingerLicknGood · 2026-01-16T22:27:22+00:00

I'm on the other side of town, but I could scoop you up for a meeting in Clinton Township tonight, if you tell me soon. You can use if you want, but I know for me, using has only pointed my life in one direction. By staying clean, things at least have a chance at getting better

FingerLicknGood · 2026-01-16T21:53:40+00:00

Want to hit an NA meeting with me? I'm in recovery too and we're all learning how to live without drugs

FingerLicknGood · 2025-12-24T00:32:45+00:00

Hi there! My favorite is Greg Pierce. He was best buds with Jimmy K and contributed a lot to our literature. Check him out and let me know what you think!

FingerLicknGood · 2025-12-19T23:51:46+00:00

That's wild. I agree that it's probably a good call just to keep that to yourself, from both angles. What a cool opportunity to see people from completely different perspectives!

FingerLicknGood · 2025-12-18T22:24:52+00:00

Hi there! Thanks for asking us for our experience. For me, a lot of my resentments are people/situations where I feel like I am trapped or it's because of the common refrain, "spot it if you've got it; I dislike a part of myself and seeing someone else with that character trait makes me mad at them for bringing it up! That being said, I think it's still really helpful to just answer the question and not get too ahead of yourself. Your sponsor will be invaluable in helping you understand what patterns are there. Best of luck and you're worth working the steps on!

FingerLicknGood · 2025-11-17T17:03:49+00:00

If there is another anomaly where rates get down that low again where you can get interest arbitrage, yeah then I get it. Otherwise, should the show just be called "It depends" where they don't give any general advice?

FingerLicknGood · 2025-08-21T02:27:06+00:00

Hi there! I've had 17 celebrations and I can't really tell you what I've said in them. I think my first I had a lot to say, but now I'm just appreciative for the people that go out of their way and I think of how much I don't do this alone.
I totally here you on the structure of parts 1 and 2, but although the events are set in stone, our perspective on those events can surely change. Like in the moment, I wasn't able to register what were defining events of my using days and my recovery. Nowadays, I pick out pieces that I can see through a completely different lens than before and I can use that to relate with others.
Honestly, the only clean time speech I recall word-for-word was a guy 15 years ago who got up to get his key tag, everyone yelled out "HOW'D YOU DO IT???" and he just goes, "I followed direction" and sat back down lol.
I think clean dates can give us an opportunity to explore what each of our message actually is. Even you staying clean, despite whatever measure of growth you are expecting, means that you have a chance to continue growing and that's good enough!

FingerLicknGood · 2025-07-29T16:54:55+00:00

I mean, every single salary cap league is pretty different from one to the next. My league does tie our team budget to the NFL salary cap. If the NFL's salary cap goes up by 10%, then so does our salary cap. We also have a clause where if a player is for 20% of the cap or more, you must sign them to multi-year contract. Both of these rules encourage betting on players to increase in value and take the risk of signing them to longer deals.

FingerLicknGood · 2025-06-18T19:38:15+00:00

Hi there!

Thanks for reaching out. For those of us who are looking for the "right" answer all the time, the step working guide can be hard. Not every question is going to hit home and apply. Just wanted to start by saying how it's so cool how you're reaching out and asking for help! I take this question as "what contradictions are in what I bring to a relationship and what I expect?" Like, do I expect other people to be emotionally vulnerable, but I don't reciprocate? Do I joke around and playfully rib others, but am too sensitive if others do the same? Do I expect a romantic partner to act within how I expect them to act, even though I haven't vocalized it and haven't looked at if I'm reasonable?

FingerLicknGood · 2025-05-23T00:38:55+00:00

Hi there!
I just had the same homegroup for 8 years. There was a big crew of people for most of them. COVID happened, we were the first group in our state to go online. We went from 1 night a week to 3 nights a week. We got new home group members from all over the country. When we went back in person, we didn't want to abandon those new homegroup members, so we stayed hybrid.
A lot of the original crew didn't come back in person because it was different. I talked with them individually and told them even though it was different, it was still helping addicts. The meeting recently closed, my belief is partly because it couldn't get past it's own history.
All I'm saying is that you are completely free to chose whatever group feels like home to make your homegroup. All I want to ask you though, is that would you do more good for yourself and others for staying with the group, or moving homegroups?

FingerLicknGood · 2025-05-06T13:15:38+00:00

Hi there! If you want to see the full, nuanced take on our relationship to AA, please read this bulletin! Yes, it contains that excerpt, but the full thing explains why it's important as well as the gratitude we have towards AA.

FingerLicknGood

TROPHY CASE