The damage has been done. You've been abused (no one likes that word). You've been told you are worthless, nothing, unloved. Maybe you were told that with words. Maybe you were told that with actions- mom left, dad left. Now what are you going to do? Grieve. Yes. Move on. You should.
You can and should do both of those things. Grieve the loss of a great relationship that you should have had with your mom or dad. Be angry that they made bad choices and you were #2 on their list- behind the drugs. Behind the alcohol. Or behind the boyfriend or girlfriend. It's a fact. You weren't taken care of properly. It hurts. It stings. You've tried begging for things to be different. It never happened.
Now you find yourself as a teenager, very close to age 18, ready to walk into the "adult" world. Because of the damage that has been done, you are scared. You don't believe you can make it on your own, because the messages are obvious. You look like your mom. You act like your dad. You're not very smart and you aren't going to ever get ahead. You already started smoking. You don't know what to do with your anger. You have already gotten in trouble with the law for selling drugs, or breaking into a home to find money for drugs. Or you already let a boy slap you and use you.
Do you want to be different? Do you want to change? How can you? There are resources out there. While you still have access to teachers, school counselors, and principals- go talk to them. They will give you ideas, help you fill out applications, help you make phone calls. Whatever it takes to help you change your patch of self-destruction you are on.
Now is the time to make a change. Do it. Move on.
