Less Than Rosy

To the Editor:

I read the article on Parental Stress, kids, etc. [Brenda Cooper, “Parental Stress, Kids & the Rolling Stones,” June Senior News, page 1] and thought to myself, “I see so many stories centered on mostly loving parents and their offspring. Nobody talks about those of us who grew up with abusive, neglectful parents.”

I never experienced any kind of love or maternal nurturing from my mother, and yet, ironically, I am the one with the power of attorney, taking care of her. I belong to a Facebook group, Parenting Aging Parents, and have found a huge society just like myself. They have no good memories to reminisce about and no reason really to care about their parent, and yet they find themselves being the only kid in the family who steps up to care for that parent.

Fortunately for me, I saw this as an opportunity to challenge my co-dependency and learn to apply boundaries with my mom. I am growing toward being healed and otherwise set free within myself, even as I still take care of her.

I think there should be an article about this hidden, tragic phenomenon that is everywhere.

Jean Damon, McKinleyville