Dear God . . . When my father drinks, it makes my mother sad and she gets sick!
That's so hard, Yandri! It hurts because you care so much about your parents. And I care about you, little friend! This is Wess Stafford, President of Compassion International. Children bear the burden in homes where there's an alcoholic parent. And so often there's also abuse — toward the other parent and the child. That particular family "secret" often goes unspoken and children suffer for years as a result. I applaud organizations who address school assemblies with the facts of alcoholism and abuse. Abuse is reported most often by children to their school counselor, teacher or school nurse. It's usually an older child who wants to protect a younger sibling. Understand the facts. Then use your influence to reach out to children with love and protection! This is Wess Stafford. Speak up with compassion for the children!
