Your kids are growing up to be so cool. You don’t need to feel guilty. I had a perfect childhood and it fucked me up so bad. The best parents can do is provide love and guidance, and to keep themselves together when they are needed. The fact that you can play and laugh with them despite your tough situation, they’re blessed to have such parents.
Oh and happy birthday!
Thanks, that means a lot, we kind of live in a bubble, so outside insight is much apprecialoved. Sometimes I fake not being stressed so as not to expose my kids to the look on my own parents' face so often when I was young. What's cool is that eventually this feeling becomes genuine if I stick with it, so I am ultimately the master of my emotions. Thanks for the birthday wishes, perhaps Monkey-B should hop in and respond to birthday wishes....
Yeah, I get the bubble thing. Most people are in them but even if you are aware of them it's hard to see outside. I never raised kids so I don't know.... but I think the fact that your effort to give her a good life, to give yourself a good life and also your respect for her will always be more important than coming across as anything other than what you are.
