Before reading this letter please note that Kim (not her real name) is a 10-year-old girl whose parents have been divorced for 7 years. Both parents are remarried and have children from the new marriages. Custody is shared. Kim has a biological sister, 2 half-sisters and 2 half-brothers.
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Slam!! Another phone almost broke as my mom slammed the receiver down.

I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself. I'm Kim and I have 3 sisters, Kristi, Katie and Whitney. I also have 2 brothers, Mark and George. I am the oldest of them all. It is very, very hard to be the oldest and have your parents fight, even when they're in different houses! But that is what this story is all about: how I go through all these stages of madness, sadness and uncomfortableness (sic).

I always feel sad when my parents fight! I usually feel like it is my fault. I know it isn't but I just have a feeling that if I wasn't born maybe they would be better off. I don't really know, I'm just a kid, but as I said before, I have a feeling inside me that makes me wonder.

Anyway, back to the story. When this happens I run upstairs and cry into my pillow. You may not know this Mom, but it makes me very, very sad!! I wish you two wouldn't fight like that. You act like babies. You always tell me not to fight with Kristi! I also get very mad even though I don't show it. I feel very out of place in my family, I feel like something is missing. I also feel uncomfortable when I'm being dropped off and there is no conversation between, well between anyone! I think my Mom is mad at my Dad and she doesn't talk to him.

Mom, Dad is a really, really great person. Sometimes he makes mistakes like you and me!

Dad, something about Mom. Don't overreact when Mom makes a mistake!

I love my family very, very, very much. Sometimes it feels like it is falling apart. I don't want you to get mad at each other. If you want to be two separate people, be two separate people that do not fight!
To Mom & Dad:
I love you!!
Love, Kim
I will always be your friend.



A note to Kim: You are one super kid!
Thanks for sharing this letter so that other kids can learn that their feelings are normal and so that other parents will hopefully listen, learn and stop fighting.
I hope one day your dreams will come true. Michele