I am sorry for that child you were that wasn't protected and nourished. I also grew up in a dysfunctional family and the abusive parent was my dad. My parents stayed together for the kids (not always a good idea). Our family of 6 argued nonstop. There were a few times we had to call the cops on my parents when the arguing escalated. I should mention my dad was a Mason and Knights of Columbus..top dog in each.

Also I have some very wonderful memories from my childhood...neighborhood children, adult neighbors that were a refuge, the church I attended where I met Jesus, school (and loving teachers) which was fantastic in the 50's and 60's, the library and our community. I am not sure these escapes are available as much today. Yet, I took away from my childhood a great sense of rejection and low self worth. Thank goodness I don't drink or do drugs or I could have used that to escape the pain. The greatest gift I received as a child was piano lessons (music) and the ability to read. Both were my escapes.

I did some counseling and I really believe I came away with three major transformative thoughts and actions. The first is that I could nourish and nurture that child that had been emotionally and mentally neglected. The second was that I could only be responsible for me, my thoughts and actions. I learned to preface statements with I feel or I think which was less confrontational. Both were helpful. Also, I wrote all my memories out and that was cathartic. I have sometimes written out things and burned them to let things go. I also used Bach Flower Remedies to heal some of the emotional scars. I was not a perfect parent but I was a heck of a lot better than mine were and God was very gracious and loving throughout my life...He is truly a shelter in the time of storm, the Rock of my salvation.

Anyway, I share this to let you and everyone know there is always hope. I hoped in Christ Jesus and he never left me or led me astray. He gave me a solid foundation that has been so meaningful my entire life. I think everyone has their own dysfunction (maybe not) because we are imperfect beings so we need to shine our lights in the darkness. Adversity develops character (sometimes bad character) but if we let it refine us we are better off for it. God bless you and your family. The "prayers of a righteous man availeth much" and I am so grateful for "prayer changes things". "God bless us every one."

I am sorry for that child you were that wasn't protected and nourished. I also grew up in a dysfunctional family and the abusive parent was my dad. My parents stayed together for the kids (not always a good idea). Our family of 6 argued nonstop. There were a few times we had to call the cops on my parents when the arguing escalated. I should mention my dad was a Mason and Knights of Columbus..top dog in each.

Also I have some very wonderful memories from my childhood...neighborhood children, adult neighbors that were a refuge, the church I attended where I met Jesus, school (and loving teachers) which was fantastic in the 50's and 60's, the library and our community. I am not sure these escapes are available as much today. Yet, I took away from my childhood a great sense of rejection and low self worth. Thank goodness I don't drink or do drugs or I could have used that to escape the pain. The greatest gift I received as a child was piano lessons (music) and the ability to read. Both were my escapes.

I did some counseling and I really believe I came away with three major transformative thoughts and actions. The first is that I could nourish and nurture that child that had been emotionally and mentally neglected. The second was that I could only be responsible for me, my thoughts and actions. I learned to preface statements with I feel or I think which was less confrontational. Both were helpful. Also, I wrote all my memories out and that was cathartic. I have sometimes written out things and burned them to let things go. I also used Bach Flower Remedies to heal some of the emotional scars. I was not a perfect parent but I was a heck of a lot better than mine were and God was very gracious and loving throughout my life...He is truly a shelter in the time of storm, the Rock of my salvation.

Anyway, I share this to let you and everyone know there is always hope. I hoped in Christ Jesus and he never left me or led me astray. He gave me a solid foundation that has been so meaningful my entire life. I think everyone has their own dysfunction (maybe not) because we are imperfect beings so we need to shine our lights in the darkness. Adversity develops character (sometimes bad character) but if we let it refine us we are better off for it. God bless you and your family. The "prayers of a righteous people availeth much" and I am so grateful for "prayer changes things". "God bless us every one."

I am sorry for that for the child that you were that wasn't protected and nourished. I also grew up in a dysfunctional family and the abusive parent was my dad. My parents stayed together for the kids (not always a good idea). Our family of 6 argued nonstop. There were a few times we had to call the cops on my parents when the arguing escalated. I should mention my dad was a Mason and Knights of Columbus..top dog in each.

Also I have some very wonderful memories from my childhood...neighborhood children, adult neighbors that were a refuge, the church I attended where I met Jesus, school (and loving teachers) which was fantastic in the 50's and 60's, the library and our community. I am not sure these escapes are available as much today. Yet, I took away from my childhood a great sense of rejection and low self worth. Thank goodness I don't drink or do drugs or I could have used that to escape the pain. The greatest gift I received as a child was piano lessons (music) and the ability to read. Both were my escapes.

I did some counseling and I really believe I came away with three major transformative thoughts and actions. The first is that I could nourish and nurture that child that had been emotionally and mentally neglected. The second was that I could only be responsible for me, my thoughts and actions. I learned to preface statements with I feel or I think which was less confrontational. Both were helpful. Also, I wrote all my memories out and that was cathartic. I have sometimes written out things and burned them to let things go. I also used Bach Flower Remedies to heal some of the emotional scars. I was not a perfect parent but I was a heck of a lot better than mine were and God was very gracious and loving throughout my life...He is truly a shelter in the time of storm, the Rock of my salvation.

Anyway, I share this to let you and everyone know there is always hope. I hoped in Christ Jesus and he never left me or led me astray. He gave me a solid foundation that has been so meaningful my entire life. I think everyone has their own dysfunction (maybe not) because we are imperfect beings so we need to shine our lights in the darkness. Adversity develops character (sometimes bad character) but if we let it refine us we are better off for it. God bless you and your family. The "prayers of a righteous people availeth much" and I am so grateful for "prayer changes things". "God bless us every one."