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• Monday, January 12, 2009 09:31 PM

  In defense of Dad

  Before she moved in LW did not live with Dad. So, Dad kept his girlfriend and his lover apart. That doesn't mean he neglected his daughter. Maybe the daughter chose to be with the nanny whenever LW was around.

  Some kids are difficult. Being raised by a mother who turned out to have mental problems is a recipe for difficult. It's a lot harder to parent a difficult kid. Dad may be trying. Since it sounds like the girl lived overseas before Dad rescued her, they probably didn't have the closest relationship. It's hard to be a hands-on parent across an ocean.

  My daughter (10) always has her head in a book, doesn't see the point of tidying her bed or room, left to her own devices is iffy on hygiene, and has completely unrealistic ideas about her talents. Her brother has always been a lot easier to parent, a lot easier to teach basic life skills to. But, my daughter does not have Asbereger's, ADD or whatever. She's just stubborn and actively avoids responsibility. I'm a stay-at-home Mom, active and involved happily married to her father. We may not be the best parents in the world, but we try.

  Take pity on Dad, who got a a kid he probably didn't know well who was suffering a lot of trauma from watching her Mom lose her marbles and dealing with the consequences. He could use some professional parenting advice, but he may not be the evil, selfish, neglectful parent that all you Saloners have made him out to be.

  That being said, LW, if you can't find some love for Anna, see her potential, you should move yourself out of her father's house.

  —Malusinka Read Malusinka's other letters
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