Hi Kirsty - and everyone else who has replied to this thread -
All your comments make me realize that I'm not the only one that thinks like this... (How many times have we all said this - LOL!) I have eliminated most contact with my parents for all the reasons that are mentioned in this thread. Kirsty - I too am angry over my lost childhood, etc. I've "given" myself some of that childhood that I never had by watching interactions between healthy, loving parents and their children. I've watched the look in a child's face when *I* put my hand out and say "gimmie 5" when they've done something well. I am able to absorb some of their feelings and "give" myself some of it...
One thing that has really helped me put my anger in perspective is this thread:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...y-parents.html
I think your anger is a good sign that you are working through things - I still get angry (not too often), but the anger is now very different - I no longer have the physical rage that tore through my body like I did earlier.
M