I have to work very hard not to beat myself up over choices made in raising my children. I did my best, but I made some serious mistakes - especially in allowing them to stay or be in very toxic teaching situations/people when they wanted to stay (due to friends, subject matter, etc.) I tried to be a solid moral grounding for them in those situations, and a voice of reason, even as I let them make their choice. They have grown up to be wonderful adults who are far more comfortable in their skin than I am, but I still question whether I could have saved them from some grief had I dragged them away when they didn't want to go, or would that have caused them to act out in other ways? ? I have to look at the GOOD choices I also made with them, and think overall I did well with those precious gifts I was entrusted with.

I'm right there with you. I was too young and stupid to be entrusted with 2 wonderful little lives. One is doing very well and the other has a wo derful wife that keeps him afloat.