FAMILY DRAMA

Does Writing Stories About a Bad Childhood Make You Disloyal to Your Family?

Internal conflict almost made me stop writing

Photo Provided by Author — via Canva.com

She was a bad mother in every sense of the word. She was verbally and physically abusive, and for as long as she was alive (up until summer 2020), I knew her to actively abuse some type of drug or another (I’m currently 66).

Once upon a time, all this internal conflict regarding my mother, almost made me stop writing altogether.

But things don’t affect me the same way anymore.

Whenever I write about my bad childhood or discuss things that me and my siblings endured, I remind myself, sharing my truth, doesn’t make me disloyal to my family.

Good, bad, or otherwise; whatever else my mother was, she was still my mother and I always loved her dearly, even when I thought I hated her while growing up.

I started writing about my tough life growing up, long before my mother died four years ago, and gradually I stopped worrying about feelings of betrayal.

But when my mom first passed away, I questioned should I be writing about her, and if so, should I be saying the things that I said.