Quote Originally Posted by kimlovescats
My ex-husband ruined what little self-esteem I had when he drug me through court over our two daughters. He tormented and berated me for years and still hasn't stopped. I cannot throw myself into the fire for persecution any more. I had some very self-destructive thoughts on the way home from that courtroom today. Thank God for my loving husband and my daughter Amanda, who are the two people on this Earth who still make my life feel worth living.

I just wanted to give you some "words of wisdom" that someone had passed on to me... I often blamed my ex that I lived with and was verbally and physically abused by for the time I was with him.

I have the following quote posted in many places, and also at work, because even there, there are certain people you work with that just try to bring you down.

Eleanor Roosevelt was an amazing woman, and I love this quote:
No one can make you feel inferior without your permission.

It's something to remember... You need to believe in yourself. You have to be your own cheerleader, and know that you are a wonderful person and have all the potential in the world. Don't let others make you feel like crap. Know that the ones that do do that, are the ones who feel crappy about themselves to begin with and the old saying "misery loves company." It is so true.

Be good to yourself. Don't be an enabler to your daughter. She's preying on your "motherly instincts", and is using your sentiments for her own well-being without any thought of how she is slowly destroying you. I know it is hard, but you have to look after yourself at this point. She's an adult now, and is responsible for her own actions and cannot be allowed to blame anyone else, or make others feel responsible for her. That is extremely manipulative. Shame on her for doing that to her mother. It also doesn't sound like Denise has the best interests of the child at heart either. Another spiteful person doing something to make others feel inadequate. I'm sure she'll be easy on her son and let him see Jenna when he wants. As horrible as it sounds, a foster placement might be the best thing for Jenna at this point.