We've all got our stories- Mine is a VERY bi-polar mother and a usually absent father (Navy- on subs for 6 month stretches). Life with Mom was sometimes a lot of fun, sometimes pure hell. The thing to remember is that we should not make the mistakes our parents made. They screwed us over and we survived in spite of them! We are stronger than they were/are and it is time to "break the chain" of abuse! Scarred as we are, WE CAN DO THAT!!! We can stop the abuse and choose not to hurt our kids. Don't pass on the madness and pain to your kids! Let go of your past and start living "here, now". It isn't easy, but it can be done! My love to all my fellow survivors- Granny:hippy: