Yes I've had some invaluable support on here GSS - particularly about aforementioned hellish teenage kids.
though I'm a bit surprised at how quickly people jumped to conclusions about my '10,000' postings, and acted on those conclusions - nastily.
I think this column is exceptionally well-written (no I DO NOT write it - OK lol). She offers snapshots of situations but doesn't go into long explanations or justifications - or, even, what happens afterwards. It is clever writing in that what is left out is as powerful as what is put in. It takes a lot of skill to edit down what could probably fill the whole world if she were to write all of it. I also think it is a masterpiece that, bcs of what is left out, invites people to project their own prejudices onto it.....
She is a mother, and she is struggling, finding it very painful (though rewarding at the same time). As I am too I naturally support her, even if (technically) I may think she's got this or that 'wrong'.. though tbh I think it's irrelevant what she's getting right or wrong. It's all very well to objectively view a relationship/s and see what could be done better, but another thing to be living it. I suppose it's a very human snapshot of the intimate minutiae of someone's life and relationships, and that alone is something I value. When you get to the stage where you know you're pretty crap really, despite your best efforts, (as well as dazzlingly brilliant too at times) it's good to hear from someone else who doesn't think she's the best mother ever, and is in no place to judge anyone else's parenting. Which is where we're all at really, though it seems a lot don't realise it.