Topic : 07/05 180-Degree Turn

Let me start by making it clear that it was definitely wrong how she was treating her children. Now, that I've said that I just want to say that the kids were not the only victims here.  Instead of judging the woman on losing her sanity maybe people should try to give her a helping hand. I am so glad that Dr. Phil was wise enough to see that this woman needed help.  You can tell that she didn't want to do those things. She didn't know what to do or how to get the situation under control.  She needed help and a lot of time people are more compassionate to children than they are the parents struggling to raise their children.  I was a VERY difficult child and my parents did not know how to handle me nor were they raised as to how to properly handle stress, etc. My parents are loving and giving parents whom were overwhelmed with my behavior and the lack of skills to handle it.  This woman obviously was not taught how to correctly correct her children and needed help. She is not the abuser that everyone has made her out to be but rather a mom whom loves her children and didn't know how to handle her feelings of being overwhelmed with the situation and was crying out for help. 

Well, thank goodness the rest of the world does not come to a complete stop with responses like this.  Be a part of the solution and not the problem....being negative instead of encouraging someone in their efforts to better themselves is a short leash to be putting yourself on.  After all, one day your children will come to you for advice and will you give them an answer like this one or will you give them advice and encouragement to build their confidence and show you support? 

You make it sound as if she was this horrible and hateful woman from the get-go and you are so much a better parent than she is.  Sorry, there is no such thing as the perfect parent, but we all do our best.  Take yourself off that high horse with a comment like, "I am replying to most of you." 

I watched the show when it first aired and I also watched the update today.  I'm really wondering if there are many other moms out there who are going through what Karen went through, not knowing that there could be a problem like PPD and not even know it.  I know from being a mom of four that things can get a little crazy at times especially when Dad's always working and it's just you and the kids.  All I'm saying is that Karen isn't the only one going through these kinds of things and although my situation isn't physically violent, sometimes the verbal abuse can get out of line.  Who else out there is sitting, watching and judging this women and living in similar situations????  It's wrong people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know what this mother is going through. I haven't expressed my feelings or showed my anger to anybody but my therapist so I know this rage. I was abused when I was younger by my father and I saw the anger and learned that anger. My mother was strong enough to leave him for my safety.  I had to go to therapy for many years to learn how to control my anger. It was taught to me by my father when most children learn the most - the first 3 years.

 I waited to have children because I knew that I would hurt them. I now  have a daughter and I plan to have at least one more child. I am so fortunate to have waited until I was in my 30's and to get the help that I needed to start my family. My family is so precious to me that I can't imagine hurting them. I will probably go back to therapy to help me cope with the everyday tasks but I promise to myself that I will never hurt anybody.

I feel extremely sorry for this poor woman because she is sick.  I'm very glad that she is getting the help that she needs.

Yes, Karen made mistakes.  She also appeared on national tv advertising her mistakes.  I've been on national tv (oprah)  and I think Karen is very brave.

Also, EVERYONE has done bad or stupid things...either as a parent or in other aspects of their lives.  She was willing and did get help.  I think most of us would be suprised to see ourselves in our worst moments on tv.  It's like....is that really me??   The viewer who posted to the message board and then appeared on the show... is a great example of a society that gets off in shoving someone when they are already down.  NO ONE is perfect.  EVERYONE makes mistakes.  Karen was on the show....to get help.  I say great job!  I love the phrase from Opah "When you know better, you do better!" 

:) Jennifer

p.s. Not that is it any of my business, but she and her family DO deserve a trip to Disney World.  For those of you whining about it, take your most emabarrassing problem and go on national tv, get help, report back on national tv, and listen to pious people cast judgement upon you.  Karen did receive help via Dr Phil, but she also was on a show that makes $$ and does not pay it's guests......so sending them to Disney World is a descent gesture.