Hi Everyone!!
My name is Brenda, and I'm 34 years young. I've been happily married (to the most amazing man) for three years, and we have three children. My daughter is nine years old (my husband has adopted her), my stepdaughter is eight, and my stepson is six. I am currently a full time college student taking Business Administration specializing in Human Resource Management. I am also a volunteer with the Sexual Assault Victim Support Program with our Regional Health Authority.
My hope with this advice column is that I will be able to help people. I've been through alot in my life, and I decided that if I can help people in similar situations, then that could also help me heal, and move on. I won't go into great detail on here, but my motto has definitely become "what doesn't kill us, will only make us stronger".
I was raped when I was 16, and then continually by an abusive boyfriend when I was 19-20. He was an alcoholic and abusive sexually, physically, and emotionally. He unsuccessfully (thank God) tried to kill me.
I've been cheated on...been the cheater, I've gone through addiction, as well as losing my dad. I have clinical depression. I was a single mom for five years before I met my husband. I became extremely obese, and five years ago weighed close to 400 pounds. In January of 2000 I underwent gastric bypass surgery and have maintained a 200+ pound weight loss. I went through my childhood and adolescense being ridiculed for my appearance. I really want to help people with obesity issues.
Currently, my most stressing issues seem to be dealing with my husbands despicable ex-wife. It's hard to deal with someone whom you have absolutely no respect for as a parent, or as a person for that matter. I have many concerns about making a blended family work, so that everyone is happy.
PHEW!!!
Well....I hope I will have many visitors to my column and can help each and every one of you! Chances are..whatever it is you're going through, I've probably been there. I hope to talk to you soon.
Brenda
Website: Help Me, Brenda!
E-mail: helpmebrenda@inbox.com
Gender: Female
Location: Manitoba, Canada
Occupation: student
Age: 34
Member Since: April 9, 2006
Answers: 193
Last Update: October 5, 2006
Visitors: 22501
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Tonight is familynight and I've known about it for about 3 days. I also got invited to go somewhere else with some of my friends. But the thing is that the place that I might go with my friends A LOT of people are going to. So it will give me a chance to mix and mingle with a lot of people and have fun. The place with my friends seem so much more fun that family night. But I don't know if I should just ditch my family for my friends? Can anyone help? What would you do? What is the right thing to do? (link)
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Hi there
Have you ever heard of the saying "blood is thicker than water"?
For the rest of your life friends will come and go...of course a few will stay. Family will ALWAYS be there for you, and I think you should stick with them. Could you go out with your friends after? I understand how much you want to go with your friends, but do you want to hurt your family in the process?
I know alot of teenage kids roll their eyes at the thought of family night, but as you get older you will appreciate the fact that your parents want to spend time with you...and it is so important to maintain good family ties.
When I was a teenager I honestly thought that when I turned 18 I would leave home and never talk to my mom again (we fought all the time)...now that I'm 34 with my own family, my mom and I are like best friends. I treasure her soooooo much and wish that I didn't waste all those years fighting with her. Take care.
Brenda
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Rating: 5
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thank you so much. That was exactly what I needed. I decided to go with my family.
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