I bitterly regret not getting my kids out of the situation sooner. Why should they have to feel confusion and hurt? They are little kids. I honestly think a child having to put up with an alcoholic parent is a form of child abuse. I was guilty of this cos I didn't protect them. They have so much to work through now and cos of the anger the older ones feel I've lost them. They have left without leaving me a forwarding address or contact. My whole family has been torn apart cos I didn't act sooner and get rid of him. I clung on to the stupid belief of til death us do part and all the marriage vow crap he wasn't adhering too anyway. It wasn't a marriage it was an emotional mindf**k and my kids have paid the most. They had no choices at all. Do not tend up like me wishing you'd called time 10 years before you do.