Hi Jubileecat,

You have really had me thinking with families and upbringings etc. My Father is an alcoholic, he has 4 siblings, 3 of whom are alcoholics. I certainly didnt have a "normal upbringing" My mum was the kindest, most wonderful person I have ever met and how she endured the life she had, I will never know. She tried so hard to make things as "normal" as she could for me and my brother. Sadly she passed away a few yrs ago. My Father who hasnt had a drink now for about 20 years is even more of a monster than when he was drinking.The drinking masked how awful he really was. I could never see that at the time and always thought that when and if he stopped drinking I would have a "normal father". My brother still suffers terribly from the mental abuse he suffered and still often sleeps with his clothes on. He never had children because he was scared he may turn out like our Father and that really worried him. It is so sad as he would have made a wonderful dad. He is so loving and affectionate.When I think of my Father and his family, I wonder about the effect it may have had on me(nature or nurture) and perhaps that is why my son is a P.

My Father has no real emotions and sees himself as a Saint and fails to understand why his son and daughter have very little to do with him.

There is so much to think about.

zin