Parents fret about daughter's abusive relationship
It is very difficult for me to watch three adults who are stuck in patterns of blame, disappointment, avoidance and guilt.
-- A Reluctant Witness
Dear Reluctant: I agree with you that family therapy could help this father and his children move forward with a fresh understanding.
Getting them all into the same room might not be a realistic expectation, however. He should do his best to communicate openly and honestly with his children, regardless of how they might interpret or respond. He escaped the toxic environment. They didn't.
Dear Amy: Kudos to your reply to "Concerned Mother" regarding her daughter's fear of her father's temper.
I have one caveat. Enforced sobriety will not solve the problem. The problem is not the father's drinking per se, but the temper.
Even the mother stated that her ex's temper was what caused her to exit the relationship.
Looking at only one aspect will still allow the main issue to go unaddressed.
-- Learned My Lesson
Dear Learned: Good point. Thank you.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)
