Has anyone read The Glass Castle?

June 22, 2012

Just wanted to share that I'm almost done with this book. It's not necessarily

about BPD...although I'm kind of wondering if the mom is.

But..the overall dysfunction...it's a biography...even though my life was a

piece of cake compared to the author...there were dynamics that I was surprised

that I had experienced.

For example:

The mom going off on the kids... " I've sacrificed everything for you and you

don't appreciate it "

So you dont' feel like you are a blessing, but a burden.

Seeing the father's crazy parents and understanding the abuse behind his

dysfunction. It's the same with my dad...he's lightyears beyond his

upbringing...doing the best he can...helps me have a bit more

understanding...but you still mourn not having reliable people to fall back on.

When the author left (espaped) to NYC to start her own life...wow...I moved to

NYC from Oregon and it was the best thing I could have ever done! Her mom was

encouraging....her dad didn't like the idea. Same here. When she left and he

told her " You know you can always come home. " And she knew he meant it in his

own way, but she never was going back home....I broke down crying. That's

happened to me a few times...after 9/11...after my roomy tried to kill

herself...in my 20's when I was really struggling financially and was still

clueless believing i could go back...and my mom had a private tizzy fit with me

so that I knew I wasn't welcome.

I've turned it around to see that it has all served me to succeed on my

own...but then again...perhaps the more balanced view is it is OK to have

support in order to succeed. And now I need to recognize that as I'm reaching

out to groups like this...and my women's biz group that has been amazing.

Anyhoo...just a little book talk...found this book accidentally and was

surprised at how it touched me and how I could relate to some of it.

June 22, 2012

I did read that book. if you are not finished with is I wont ruin it for you.

but the mom is heartrendingly selfish. and clueless about it too. she is always

talking about how much she gives, when the kids are the only ones who keep the

family together.I really related to all the times people in her family were

sick, or hurt, and ignored. That was how it was in my family.

I felt like I was a huge inconvenience to my parents. when I tried to get

attention from my dad he ignored me completely. he would not even answer direct

questions. or look at me when I would speak to him. sometimes it was really

important. but if he did not feel like responding (or even acknowledging me)he

didn't. once a couple years ago I was buckling my kids into his car, and he

decided he was done waiting, and started to drive off which forced me to run and

jump into the car. (I was half way in to reach the kids). I confronted him about

it, and he did not respond at all. or even react. and he is the " stable " one.

My nada's most frequent quote is " I am not going to fight your battles " that is

nada for " I don't give a D*** how you are being treated, and I can't be bothered

to help you. " that is how she would respond to severe bullying,at school, and

daily torture from my siblings. occasionally she would take it a step further

and inform them that I was just " sensitive " and had a " chip on my shoulder "

which she claims to this day was in defense of me.

I related to this book even though my neglect was much milder. It was a well

written book, and I admired the objectivity she described her life with. I think

that was what made it so striking.

being an inconvenience to ones parents is so hurtful.

kids are trusting, and easily hurt, but very resilient. that was the take-away

from this book.

Meikjn

>

> Just wanted to share that I'm almost done with this book. It's not necessarily

about BPD...although I'm kind of wondering if the mom is.

>

> But..the overall dysfunction...it's a biography...even though my life was a

piece of cake compared to the author...there were dynamics that I was surprised

that I had experienced.

>

> For example:

>

> The mom going off on the kids... " I've sacrificed everything for you and you