Trudging up hill

[ediemarie]

I would never "out" my Dad. For all I know he and my mom have hashed things out and they just didn't tell us kids about it - it really isn't any of our business and I see that many parents on these boards do the best they can to hide their situations from their children. I'm so mixed about that. I knew something was happening with my folks and neither of them said anything to me about it, and even though I was a teenager/young adult, it was a very difficult time in my life to see their marriage crumbling and no one talking about it. But that was YEARS ago...and not worthy of conversation with them now.

I think it is tons better to get caught. I think living a life of transparency is so much better than living a life in the shadows. I know my H would agree with that. I guess my question is, how do you affirm or even listen without reacting to what someone is saying when it annoys the hell out of you? Is it just a matter of good ol' fashioned self control to zip the lip? Do I think about something else entirely?? Just looking for strategies, I guess.

Sara - thanks for your insight here. Wow! You guys really have been through so much as a family. Your strength is inspirational!