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The past won't let me go
When I told my parents their emotional and verbal abuse hurt me growing up, they broke off contact. Now they're trying to see my kids behind my back.
By Cary Tennis [2006-09-25]

  • What am I missing here?

    Cary's response to this letter writer seems melodramatic. I can relate to wanting to cut my parents' out of my life, saying it is for the sake of the grandkids, but all the while knowing it's my way of exacting punishment. I can relate to wanting to punish my parents in that way. I haven't done it, and won't; my parents were probably not as damaging as LW's. But still. Does following through with cutting your parents out of your life make you a scary person? I don't think so. It's a person who has decided, perhaps, to treat their victimizer with as much ruthlessness as they were subjected to at the victimizer's hands (or words). It is the LW's right, really.

    I think it would probably help the LW to find a therapist, but for god's sake, I don't think cutting your parents out of your life makes you mentally ill. Can someone explain Cary's response to me? I'm mystified.

    -- BettyBoop
    [Read BettyBoop's other letters]
    Sunday, September 24, 2006 06:22 PM
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