Dear Pru, I just wonder: has nobody ever asked about Psycho-Mum? I know, it would be "politically very incorrect", but I have experienced alcoholoism and beating from that side, too. Why does nobody ever dare talk about that? - I'm aware, nobody can talk or write about "mum" or "dad" or "mother" or "father" any more in California anyway, after law SB777 has been signed in. Any such mention would be a "hate crime". Where are we going with all this madness? Joan

Here's a real question...does the writer remember all of these horrors brought upon the family from his own personal memory, or is he depending upon others to tell him what happened? Did his mom convince all of the children of these horrors, or did they really happen?

Changed names, moved to another coast? Why was that necessary after the birth father gave up his parental rights?

This could indeed be a case of a horrible father. It could also be a classic case of PAS (Parental Alienation Syndrome).

I have personally seen a case remarkably similar to this that turned out to be a complete falsehood. The real shame is that the daughter that had this perpetrated against her then repeated the pattern, almost like from a text book. One lie led to another and she invented an entire story with dozens of contradictions. A lie that grew and grew and the only ones hurt by this are the children and the falsely accused father.

I admire the people that overcame such troubled upbringings and feel bad about how I viewed my parents during my teenage years for the very minor faults they had. Makes me realize how spoiled I am.

Me too. I think my childhood resembled "Beaver Cleaver" a lot...And yet I still found things to complain about. I could've sworn they seemed truley horrible, wow, spoiled in such a good & loving way. Thanks Mom & Dad.