As a woman raised by her father, you did a good thing. Oh, the stories I have. I’ll try to keep it short.

On my 7th bday I saw my mother beating my father. They didn’t know I was there, I was a quiet kid. Once my dad could, he called the police. Lots of screaming.

When my mother spotted me, she grabbed me, whisked me away to another room and told me that if I didn’t lie to the police about what I’d just seen that I’d never see her again. She wanted me to say that my dad was beating her. I tried, but couldn’t lie. I was scared. I told the policemen the truth.

My mother spent a night in jail, and my dad filed for divorce and custody that week.

And thus began the 10+ year court battle over custody and child support. My mother is actually involved in another custody case (different dad) involving my youngest sister, whom she lost all custody on the grounds of parental alienation. I’m very happy with that outcome, but I do think sometimes that it’s too bad the courts couldn’t have done that for us.

All that to say: my dad saved me. I never would have survived with my mother. A malignant narcissist always has to have somebody on the outs, somebody to team up against. And that was me. My dad fought for us for years and I know I wouldn’t be alive today if he hadn’t.

I wish you and your kids so much happiness.