Surviving Our Parents' Mistakes: Healing the Scars from Childhood Mistreatment

This book concerns recovery from emotional child abuse. In it, I narrate a number of childhood memories from journals I've kept for decades, in which I've written my thoughts and feelings. Here I explain how early experiences negatively influenced my adult self-worth and caused difficulty dealing with issues such as anger, depression, obligation, and control. Then I go on to tell what I've done, with the support of my wife, the inadvertent assistance of our child, and the help of several excellent therapists, to heal old injuries and forgive my parents.

My writing reflects the progression of my thinking as I stopped blaming my parents for mistreating me and started taking responsibility for my predicament and recovery. I mention some of the stumbling blocks and setbacks I encountered along the way, and finish each chapter with insights that have soothed and enriched my present life, bringing peace and vitality.

In these pages, I relate what has worked for me and suggest strategies that will help other abuse victims.