Readers:

The two E-s

Covering for someone so outsiders do not notice or find out about his or her undesirable behavior (drinking, gambling, addictive habits).

Relaying lies to a workplace – calling in to say he or she is ill when he or she is unable to work because of the addiction.

Permitting, turning a blind-eye, cooperating, letting things go unnoticed to keep the peace or because it feel easier.

Enabling behaviors are often subtle way of disguising who it is in a family who is in need of help. The enabler often appears to be the strong or the healthy one. Control is the name of the game – and family life can feel like one.

Empowering is common in healthy families.

It can involve:

Getting out of each other’s way so people can learn from errors and get credit for their successes.

Allowing natural consequences to follow choices so people can learn just how powerful really are.

Trusting and believing in each other even when things do not go to plan or appear to be falling apart.

Empowered people require the company of other empowered people and all require a strong sense of self. Freedom to discover and to learn are the hallmark of the empowered.