What’s the hardest decision you’ve ever had to make? Why?

In 2017, I had reached my breaking point. I just brought my youngest home from the NICU, after he had been there for four very long months. He came three and a half months early.

I felt something building I knew could not be avoided, and I didn’t want my oldest children suffering. It was between my mother abusing them and controlling them – the way she did me. And my ex hurting them as well. I reached out to their father, who stays in North Carolina. I described that I wanted them to be children and be happy. He understood, and on June 17th 2017, I watched my oldest kids get into their father’s car, as they would take a road trip to North Carolina.

My only girl didn’t want to go, my oldest boy cried. But it had to be done. I had a sick child, a crazy drug addict and a power hungry, narcissistic mother to deal with. The least casualties, the better.

When I was finally able to see them, I was apologetic for sending them away. I told them I wanted them to be happy, and my daughter exclaimed, “we are happy! Thank you for sending us!” My son agreed.

I was swarmed by emotion and I realized had I not made that decision, they would have suffered a great deal. I understand there is therapy or the usual “how bad could it have been” from boomers who think they know it all. But I gave them what I wasn’t given…a chance to be a child, to be loved and taken care of…without doing a song and dance because the parent is broken and doesn’t want to work on themselves.

My oldest is 16, graduating next year, and my only girl plays violin, piano and the ukulele. They’re both so very sweet and loving. I’m glad I made that sacrifice.