Messages By: tracyock1

I just read your message.  I hope you are checking for replies still.  

I feel your exhaustion.  I work at a pediatric hospital where everything is urgent and critical.  I am so stressed by my coworkers and the demands of perfection.  I go home to an ADD/ severe ADHD child that has some learning disabilities.  I have  3 hours to fix dinner, eat, clean up, do homework (he's not able to do homework without constant one on one attention at the 3rd grade level because of ADD).  Then do any chores, run any last minute errands, baths and ready for the next  day.  Some nights we have soccer, PTA, family stuff.  I am so burned out and exhausted.  Oh, I'm a single parent by the way.  TV is out of the question. I catch headline news from the radio.  Luckily I have an hour commute each way and that is my relaxation and down time.  I unwind, leave my stress where it originated (either at home or work).  I think of what I have ahead and organize my thoughts and prioritize what needs to be done.  I look at rush hour traffic as therapeutic.  :)   

Then I've tried to simplify my life.  Do only necessary errands during the weekends and only plan one or two (if short) activities a day on the weekends.  This keeps me from still feeling rushed and stressed and doesn't over stimulate my son.  We have managed to find some great down time at home and able to do things with each other.  I  understand the demands of work taking all your energy and patience where none is left when you walk in your house.     

Uh, excuse me, but that isn't the point. My ex-husband knew how to choke someone without leaving anything behind. My ex is everything that guy told Dr. Phil he was, except the drugs and jail-time. Guys like him and my ex don't change, and no amount of therapy can help an addiction, especially alcoholism.  

The man -Chris-  said that he would never hurt his daughter, right? Uh huh, sure. My ex said that too. You can say that when you're sober, but when your under the influence, you don't know what you're doing. My ex had my daughter against the kitchen counter, his hand around her neck. She's been Claustrophobic ever since, and hates him for lying to her. He said, right to her face, that he would never hurt her. He promised her. He broke his promise, and my daughter has refused contact with him ever since we moved.  

Angela said that he gave her a black eye, and that Chris punched her in the stomach when she was pregnant. That is much too close to what happened to me. Actually, that exactly  what happened to me. It's way too close.  

I don't believe Chris, and I have good reason to. I think Angela is very smart to keep her daughter away from her father. Everyone wants what's best for Serena, right? Keep her away from her. It's safer, for her physical, and physiological health.