There's a glass-shattering moment the first time your child does something wrong. Could be a fight at school, or them disobeying an order at home, but it'll eventually happen. It's impossible to put those pieces back together once you see your kid as a real human with individual thoughts and actions, but you still try to love them in spite of it. Is there a difference if the thing they did wrong was murder?
Reddit user, u/yeedog21, wanted answers to the toughest question when they asked:
Parents of murderers, how do you view your son/daughter now?
My Son Who?
Some kid in my town stabbed and killed this guy at a party a few years ago and I now work with his mom.
She doesn't acknowledge that she has a son at all and only ever talks about her daughters
You Pick A Reality
My best friend's other best friend (I'm college, other guy is high school) killed a guy and is in jail. My friend is still really good friends with him and they stay in contact as much as possible.
The guy claims it was self defense. The evidence isn't in his favor, but I think my friend is choosing to believe what he wants to believe
When It's The Hand That Feeds You
I'm a child of a murderer. Im currently 21 years old and when I was 3 my mom was murdered by my father (can I even call him father?) and partly dismembered and hid in a trash bag for three days before my grandpa (his dad) called the cops.
My dad acted 'normal' in the days following. He drank beer and watched football with the neighbors.
I was raised by his parents all my life and was taught growing up that he didn't take care of her properly as she had a lot of health and mental issues. So I accepted that. Like I didn't know that wasn't a thing.
I googled my dads name when I was 11 a week before Christmas. I didn't talk to him for a year.
He only calls when he wants money from my grandma.
I no longer have visitation rights since I turned 18 but could get it changed to let me see him but I don't really want to tbh.
My dad is a skilled artist which is what I love to do. So I'm grateful for that and the fact he passed it down to me. He also plays music very well. I've not got a natural ability but can kinda play the violin with some practice.
I don't plan on talking to him if and when he gets out. If he even tries. I don't think he would. Unless it's for money.
I use to dream of opening a tattoo shop with him as a little kid. I miss being young and not knowing the truth but I'm glad that I found out and know I can't trust him.
A Heartbreaking Dissolution
I know a man who's older son shot dead his little brother. Accident of course. Later on older boy killed himself. He sure was not some brutal murderer, but the father dismisses he ever had sons at all...Doesn't visit either grave, doesn't talk about them. When asked about children, he straight up ignores it. It's hearbreaking really...
I know no one asked me, but thought I would share.
Love Goes The Other Way
Other way around
my Mom is in prison for life for murder.
she was my best friend growing up and i loved her so much, she wasn convicted until 10 years after the murder and i was ripped away from her by police and given to my estranged father at age 11. i've seen her once in prison since and i dont know who she is anymore. i have love for her but i don't understand how she could have done it and not think of the consequences and how i would have gotten affected by her poor choices. i'm a young adult now and its been 8 years. i am doing okay, i haven't contacted her since that visit. but i have trust issues from it though, knowing no matter how much i love someone they can turn out to be not the person i thought.
Familial Bonds Are Strong
My uncle by marriage is a jovial plreasant man. My aunt is a good woman. Years, i mean decades later, i found out he had been in prison prior to their marriage. He had money but not a clearly discernable source so expected it to be related.
Nope. Was intoxicated, some guy of a different race said something and he laid into him hard. The beaten man nearly died, don't know he didnt. So uncle went up for attempted murder.
Hard to believe. He's always been a nice old man. Still is.
Define "Children"...
My son and daughter are both serial killers. Sometimes they even kill together. I let them get away with it because it brings them joy and it's their natural instinct. I occasionally find their kills all over the backyard or house - mostly lizards, mice, sometimes birds if they got lucky.
I just wish they'd say something more to me besides meow meow.
It Just Ruins...Everything.
Ok, I'll give you a teaser: my good friend's older brother brutally murdered their sister and parents. He told my friend that he had to in order to save the two brothers- the devils told him.
My friend was and is one of the sweetest lads to ever exist. His brother developed schizophrenia in his late teens and heard voices telling him to do awful things. Their parents tried so hard.
Brother is in a facility for life. Friend still has the same shocked facial expression that he instantly adopted after losing his entire family. He is broken. All the moms in his neighborhood took care of him growing up, but the insurance and fostering could not give him back what he most wants.
My friend visits his brother often. He loves him. He knows he was not to blame. Every time they joke about breaking hom out of that place, but both know it is the only safe place for him to be.