As someone who should have paid more attention to what my step daughter was doing in her room. this one is hard to react to objectively. The child is entitled to her privacy and to maker her own way, but as a (proxy) parent you want to ensure that they are swimming between the flags.
FWIW, my step daughter is now lost to the World, spiralling into a vortex of drug abuse, poor mental health, self harm, anxiety and depression. Once a talented artist, she now administers ugly tattoos to herself and recasts her adolescence as if it was a living hell.
It was for me and her mother, and I wish that all she was doing was creating melancholy flip books on the demise of comic book heroes. I'm not Brett, and I hope Lisette uses her talent well...
Knowing and loving a close friend of my son’s who was swept into that life I can’t express the deep sadness I feel for all of you, especially her. It’s a struggle she doesn’t particularly want to win.
Quite the flourish at the end, there. I don't have any children, but being a young man not too long ago, I recognize how difficult it must be to determine the line between privacy and parenting. I guess all we can do it give the people we love care, kindness, and support.
Thanks. No idea what it will take to get the attention of the now massive Substack Notes community. but I know I'm doing some writing that merits a few more eyeballs
It's all just commenting, liking, sharing other folks stuff (that you like). If you don't do that, it'll be hard for people to discover you. Also, a lot of folks read what they see on the site, so even if they subscribe, they might not see your story. I halted my emails because it was too overwhelming. I usually just pick out a few things each day and read them. Everyone is different though.
As someone who should have paid more attention to what my step daughter was doing in her room. this one is hard to react to objectively. The child is entitled to her privacy and to maker her own way, but as a (proxy) parent you want to ensure that they are swimming between the flags.
FWIW, my step daughter is now lost to the World, spiralling into a vortex of drug abuse, poor mental health, self harm, anxiety and depression. Once a talented artist, she now administers ugly tattoos to herself and recasts her adolescence as if it was a living hell.
It was for me and her mother, and I wish that all she was doing was creating melancholy flip books on the demise of comic book heroes. I'm not Brett, and I hope Lisette uses her talent well...
Knowing and loving a close friend of my son’s who was swept into that life I can’t express the deep sadness I feel for all of you, especially her. It’s a struggle she doesn’t particularly want to win.
Thank you.
J - she drew his own image of himself. You wonder if it surprised him that she knew him that well..
That's a brilliant observation. I saw it as she was looking outward at the world that dismayed her. I really like yours better.
Brilliant.
Thanks. I'm always trying
Wow.
This was a radical departure from anything you've written.
You gave us a paranoid step father who went from "I know" to embarrassed "how will I apologize and will she ever forgive me" in a few paragraphs.
Proving once again, you are a Master Story Teller.
Always trying to keep them fresh. Thanks J/S
Quite the flourish at the end, there. I don't have any children, but being a young man not too long ago, I recognize how difficult it must be to determine the line between privacy and parenting. I guess all we can do it give the people we love care, kindness, and support.
People sometimes fumbe the kindness part
Great twist at the end. Very clever. Enjoyed it.
Thanks. I love to twist em when I can
Wow, Jimmy. Incredible dive into a moment of the complexities of a real life moment.
Thanks Luke. I love the tight focus and the power dive. I really feel them when I'm writing.
Damn dude. Killer.
Thanks. No idea what it will take to get the attention of the now massive Substack Notes community. but I know I'm doing some writing that merits a few more eyeballs
It's all just commenting, liking, sharing other folks stuff (that you like). If you don't do that, it'll be hard for people to discover you. Also, a lot of folks read what they see on the site, so even if they subscribe, they might not see your story. I halted my emails because it was too overwhelming. I usually just pick out a few things each day and read them. Everyone is different though.