and... By Nick

Blow them off. You can be happy with only one parent. My mom lost her mind 25 years ago and still hasn't found it! I can't depend upon either of my parents. My dad left us with a broken mother to pursue other women, and my mom turned to the bottle. My siblings and I are very close and successful. I have no idea how we survived the lack of love, food, etc. We are doing better, but it's hard when either parent decides to give advice. I want to laugh and say," Whose example did you follow?"

My mom knows how my sister and I feel about her lack of care, but my dad will never except that he was to blame for our horrible childhoods.

I've gotten over a lot of the neglect, but I do have trouble with her trying to be my mother. I had major surgery in June, and she didn't come or even call. Big surprise. I hadn't even told my dad. He was hurt, but how was I to know he'd care? My husband's family is great and they love me. My father-in-law has great respect for me, because I put myself through college and was homeless, except for the dorms.

Oh well, God chose to give me these experiences.

Write back if you'd like to chat. It helps to have some who understands.