June 30, 2014
Effect of Divorce on Children


Dear Dr. Laura,

I feel compelled to write to you after listening to some of the calls that have come in lately. I am product of what not to do to your kids. My parents' selfish ways almost ruined me and most certainly ruined my sister. My mom and dad got a divorce when I was around 5 and my sister was 3. My dad had been cheating on my mom and moved out and in with the other woman and her kids. We were told to call my dad by his first name while my stepsisters all called him Dad. As a result of this, my mom was extremely bitter.

A few years later, she let a child molester and alcoholic move into our home. The hardest thing I ever had to do was tell my mother he was touching me, and her response was, "He must of thought it was me." I grew up feeling like a piece of trash and there were many nights I prayed to God to please give my soul to someone who was worthy. I contemplated suicide all the time. When I was older, my mother saw me as competition, and put me down continually.

Thankfully to say, I fought my way through, and am happily married to a wonderful man and I am my kid's mom. My children are very loved and life is good.

My sister however, has not been so lucky. She is a recovering heroin addict and is barely functional. I think back and know, had my parents just stuck it out for the sake of my sister and me, how differently our lives would have been. You don't know what ripple your actions could have on your kids and the potential hell you could drag them through.

Thank you for your show. Because of you, I became my kids' mom!

Wendy

Posted by Staff at 11:00 AM