Ask Amy: Were we bad parents? Our daughters say we were.
Briefly

Something seems to be amiss in your ideal family, but your angry daughters are not ready or willing to illuminate things for you. You say the daughter who reports childhood trauma cannot give you an example of what she is referring to. I say that she is not ready. This could be because you and your husband have a habit of denying problems, explaining things away, or glossing things over.
Parents need to make sure that their children understand that they can fail, and fall, and have painful experiences, even if parents were well-intentioned and loving. Growing up is tough, and even ideal childhoods can have moments of discomfort, fear, and confusion. Being open to your daughters' experiences, while not discounting your own, is where you should focus your attention.
Read at develop.mercurynews.com
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