This one is easy: Unlike my parents, I was present for every step of my childrens' ascent into adulthood, and remain so to this day. College is not a prayer for them, it is a reality to them.
I hope no one is offended that I say plainly that my own parents were/are despicable, self-involved, drunken turds. I prospered despite them. They will die unmourned.
In every way.
They taught me how not to be. It took a lot of courage and education to learn to be a better parent. It was hard, but I made it through. I believe we are all better people because I was able to break many generations of dysfunction.
I've never beaten my child as I was beaten. I've never humiliated my child in public as I was consistently and constantly humiliated. I've never pitted my child against his friends so he was forced to choose his allegiance to them or me.
People that have been raised in a broken home - I'm not talking divorce - I'm talking about how everything in the household is broken and have managed to survive and thrive - just tell yourself Well Done! You've done an excellent job!
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