I am learning the cost of "false friends" the hard way. In particular, we need to be very wary of who we let near our children. Keep them close to you, and watch for hidden agendas and amoral outlooks. I made some choices that turned out to have regrettable personal consequences, although it did free me to do my public works.

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.