re: Being There For A Parent That Abandoned You And Has Been A Source Of Pain Your Entire Life

There are a lot of people in this thread that took an emotional arse kicking from bad parents. I am sorry for you all.

For those who have, or will have, some kind of tough decision to make about reconnecting with bad people later in life, understand that there is not a right decision for every situation.

Different levels of hurt were caused. The situation that each of you landed in afterwards could have been worse than before, miserable, or uplifting. There is no wrong answer.

If you choose to not respond to an absentee parent it is OK. If you choose to welcome them with open arms, that is OK too. Neither decision makes you a better, or worse person.

And once again, my best to all who were mistreated as children.