Stress Center Peer Support

Never in all of my years did I ever think that I would hear about my parents separating or even the possibility of divorce. Over the past few months my father has had to go to Europe for business sometimes as often as once a month, leaving my Mom behind. At first she was okay with it, now she questions the thought of something going on. The final straw came the other day when Dad announced that he needed a vacation alone and was heading to Europe for a few days again, making it his 3rd trip in 3 months. He told my Mom he was sick of her and how hard he was on my sister and I for the last 25 years.

I feel like I am stuck in such a hard place right now. The last few months I have worked so hard to get myself back on track mentally, emotionally and physically where I need to be and now this happens. I want to be there for whatever my Mom is going through and I don't want to falter. I feel such anger towards my Father. He was never like this growing up! Yes he worked a lot and provided but now he seems so distant. I want things how they were before but it seems like it will not happen. At 26 years old I am finding myself crying all the time anymore since this has all come out. I want my parents to be happy and my sister and I to all be happy but what if what I want is in the past? I can't fix what my parents need to work on, if they even want to work on it at all.

That is a crummy story Christine.

You are right in that you can't fix it at all, just pick up the pieces for your Mom and your sister and yourself. And whenever your Dad is ready to have a relationship again you'll have to decide about that.

I think it's a grieving thing. It's the death of your hopes and dreams and your idea of your past and where you come from. It's OK to cry and work it out. Just because you are 26 doesn't mean it doesn't hurt your heart. Keep working on your program stuff, and be a great example of how to stand up for yourself to your mother. You never know how God will use circumstances in your life. He is with you all the way, and is a great listener and has great answers. He won't leave you.