Does dad deserve a response?
By miacis3101
@miacis3101 (82)
United States
January 19, 2008 8:14pm CST
I am the first of six children and my father was never what you would call a good dad. When he was drunk, he would take his anger out on me and my mother, physically and emotionally. To this day I have issues with trusting anyone. This went on for 15 years and finally my mother got the guts to take us and leave. He moved to another state and continued his life without us. I tried moving closer to him when I was older and out of college to see if I might be able to get to know him again and all I met was more mental abuse. The last time we talked, over five years ago, we had a battle of wills and I ended up hanging up on him. Now, I have received a letter from him begging forgiveness and asking me to write him back. I've been going over the letter over and over again but I just can't seem to make up my mind about writing him back. I would love some anonymous imput on this.
3 responses
@Knottydani (68)
• United States
21 Jan 08
I agree with some of the others you could write him back to see how things go from there and then maybe you can take the next step. Hes your dad good or bad.You might need to do this for yourself. If he messes up then maybe you can put some closer or which I hope happens you may start a good relationship. You will never be able to forget the things from the past but maybe you can try to heal yourself inside. Lifes so short and you never know if you have tomm. I would do this for YOU like I said for some closer or a new beginning.I hope things work out for you.
@melanie652 (2524)
• United States
20 Jan 08
Good or bad, like him or not - he's still your father. I would write him back. If nothing else tell him you appreciate him acknowledging the bad things he's done and that he's trying to make up for it. You can also tell him you're having trouble with trust issues and you're going to need some time. Then proceed with caution when you're ready.
This could be an excellent opportunity for some healing to take place and for your to be able to resolve your trust issues. As your life is now - not trusting and other issues, those things are weighing you down emotionally. Maybe it's time to let go and move ahead with your life? If it doesn't work out - then at least you tried. What have you got to lose?
@xuyuting (72)
• China
20 Jan 08
it is really hard to make a choice.on the one hand he is your father.and on the other,he is not a good father.may be he will be turn bad.if you forgive him.so .my opinion is you can write him back.and observe him.if he really turned better.you can accept him.if he is also a bad father.you can leave hom as soon as you can
