Thanks for writing this, Meghan. I'm sure it's of no consolation to you that there are many of us who feel the exact same way, and you're not alone in going through all of this. Instead, we suffer in silence, mostly because so many people (especially those without kids) simply can't comprehend the struggle.
The holidays especially were tough; my daughter is roughly the same age as your kids. Knowing that they only get one shot at being 4 and 5 at Christmas is absolutely gut-wrenching. Kids only have so many years that they believe in Santa Claus, and to have two of those ripped away from them (through no fault of their own, but rather misguided "experts" and the sheep who hang on their every word) is soul-crushing as a parent.
We had a trip to Disney World planned for September of 2020, when my daughter was 4; prime time for believing and seeing the princesses she'd seen in movies. That trip was canceled, and that window for her is long gone. Now at 6, we're trying to plan to go again, but she's moved on to new interests.
The depression and guilt and sense of hopelessness that I feel about not being able to provide the normal childhood experiences that you speak of will absolutely haunt me forever, especially because from the outset, I recognized that this was all theater (a recognition that cost me family and friendships of people who thought I was nuts). I just couldn't figure out why it was occurring.
Please keep writing, Meghan, and know that you're not alone. To repurpose a nauseating rallying cry, we're all in this together, and that's the only way we'll get through it.
That was well said and I’m sure as raw as it can be expressed. I was always one of your #1 supporters. Keep advocating for what you believe in him and for your children. You’re an amazing mom and person. Don’t let anyones harsh words and bullying make you think any less.
Thanks for writing this, Meghan. I'm sure it's of no consolation to you that there are many of us who feel the exact same way, and you're not alone in going through all of this. Instead, we suffer in silence, mostly because so many people (especially those without kids) simply can't comprehend the struggle.
The holidays especially were tough; my daughter is roughly the same age as your kids. Knowing that they only get one shot at being 4 and 5 at Christmas is absolutely gut-wrenching. Kids only have so many years that they believe in Santa Claus, and to have two of those ripped away from them (through no fault of their own, but rather misguided "experts" and the sheep who hang on their every word) is soul-crushing as a parent.
We had a trip to Disney World planned for September of 2020, when my daughter was 4; prime time for believing and seeing the princesses she'd seen in movies. That trip was canceled, and that window for her is long gone. Now at 6, we're trying to plan to go again, but she's moved on to new interests.
The depression and guilt and sense of hopelessness that I feel about not being able to provide the normal childhood experiences that you speak of will absolutely haunt me forever, especially because from the outset, I recognized that this was all theater (a recognition that cost me family and friendships of people who thought I was nuts). I just couldn't figure out why it was occurring.
Please keep writing, Meghan, and know that you're not alone. To repurpose a nauseating rallying cry, we're all in this together, and that's the only way we'll get through it.
That was well said and I’m sure as raw as it can be expressed. I was always one of your #1 supporters. Keep advocating for what you believe in him and for your children. You’re an amazing mom and person. Don’t let anyones harsh words and bullying make you think any less.
Thank you for writing this. It is nice to feel understood. There are so many things that were lost these past few years. It's overwhelming at times.
" The problem? Weeks turned to months and months turned to years. " Because the government wanted to control you