Dear dr keith, I watched your show today.my situation is very simular,Me and my chibern have been apart For 22 years,last time i saw them was 4 years ago,im not able to be on your show.but i Would still like your abvice,my wife devorced me stating irreconciable differances,I need my kids and need to get to know them both,I hope you can help!?
Thank you for your time dr keith

I am so disgusted with so many people right now. The fact that the audience members would even bother clapping for some of the things the father said is shocking. The people that think the girls are selfish, or bratty, please open up your eyes. They were abused, and maybe you had it growing up too, and maybe you had it worse. I honestly am sorry. Fully sorry, and I wish that it didn't happen.

As for the people that feel sorry for the father, I ask you this; when someone apologizes, when is there anger in their voices? Whenever he apologized, he was always gruff, resentful, and had no pity or regret in his voice, body language, or facial expression. Also, I seem to recall a certain gem that he said. 'I've already apologized to you three times; I did the best I could at the time.' Which, to me, doesn't really seem to be the same thing. I'm sorry means that someone owns up to what they did, and 'I did the best I could' expresses that you believe that you are right, and do not acknowledge anything.

Another great thing he said 'I only pushed their mother three times in 20 years.' Only. Only. ONLY. Am I getting my point across, here? And that's what he's admitting. You could tell that he was manipulative with his words, and I fully agree with all of the girls and their mothers, especially Kristi (PLEASE forgive me if I didn't spell your name right.)

Thank you, and good job girls!

I can't believe the father that was on your show today. How cold can you be? And he said he didn't drink? If my dad pulled my hair, beat me, called me fat even ONCE, I'd disown the guy. That's disgusting. I couldn't even imagine having to live with such memories. The father should have been bawling like a baby and pleading his daughters for forgiveness. He wasn't a parent, he was a bully.

I watched todays show about a father and his 3 daughters and honestly, that is how life was for your father growing up and he did do the best that he could, he didnt have a father to love him and if you really wanted his apologies and a relationship with him then you would acccept it. You came to this show wanting him to apologize and when he did, you said he was not sincere, so why was he brought to this show?

I would like to comment on todays show.Jan.3,2007. I feel Larry was there to say he was sorry for all the pain he caused his daughters. I think by making him say he was sorry is great, but by telling him every little thing he did and making him say he remembers it is embarising him. I bet he rembers it all and is very sorry for it. If he wasn,t he would never been on your show.The girls should ether forgive him and tell him they will not put up with that behavier again or tell him the hurt is to great to have a relation with him again and go on with there lives.
Sharon Wright

In watching the show today. I can remember when I was a young child my older brother getting mad at his children and throwing them across the room into the wall. His children are now in their 40's. I know he is sorry for the way he treated them and tries to make up to them by giving them money and helping them as much as he can. His wife left him for another man after 14 yrs of marriage. He raised his children and helped them with their first apartments.
I do think these girls will be very sorry if they don't have some type of relationship with their father. I think his daughter's need to give him a chance. Larry just say you're sorry and be sincere.

I feel the girls seeking an apology from their dad are going to extreme and are trying to punish their father. We all got whippings growing up and because of it we were much better kids than we have in this time and day. They keep saying he is apologizing because he is on television are they exaggerating because they are on television.

To the family of Larry:

Have you ever heard of Asperger Syndrome? I believe your father has this devastating condition. It is a form of high functioning Autism and is only beginning to be recognized by the mental health community in adults. That is why Dr. Keith missed it.

The lack of empathy, inability to understand what he did to you, the blaming of others, even the "something like ADD" diagnosis all point to this diagnosis.

Please start reading about Asperger Syndrome. The world wide authority on the subject is Tony Attwood and he has just published a new book "The Complete Book of Asperger Syndrome." You can get it at Amazon.com. Also, there is a website www.faaas.org for support of families of adults with this condition. (Families of Adults Affected with Asperger Syndrome.

My husband has this condition and I know how horrible it can be. Love and support to you.

I watched the show about the daughters repairing the relationship with their father and unfournately many similiar shows and each time found them disturbing. To watch you and those girls beat up on that father was implorable. Even after the father apologized as best he could, it was'nt enough, what more do they want. I was raised without a father and not just spanked but experienced things in life growing up that would be a best seller. It is shows like this that I feel has been more destructive to the family structure than anything else. These shows have created a generation of weak, whinning, children and adults.

Father-Daughter relationship
These women are hiding their own insecurities by blaming it all on Daddy.
"Hi, I'm Sue. My daddy was mean to me." Ungrateful sobbing little snits. They've no clue of how bad it can be.
-Juliet

I was watching this show and I am surprised that these women jumped on their father for raising them. At least he was there, could they imagine life without him. Oh, I'm sure that they could now after the job is done but, coiuld you imagine growing up in a single parent home. Show some respect for your father because, he could have juty left; rather than you kick him out of your life.

Typical! that't all I can say watching this 'man' sit there and try to skirt reality. Having been the daughter of abusive parents and then enduring the nightmare of an abusive husband who spilled his anger out on our children as well, I was feeling compassion for this wife and daughters. It did not take much time to see the same mechanisms working here.
Saying 'I'm sorry' while minimizing or denying the reality of what happened and avoiding taking real ownership for ones words or actions does not constitute an apology. Saying 'I'm sorry' is only the expression of an emotion, and does not equal taking ownership of one's actions. Emotions can be fickle and change on a whim. Emotions are not the sole foundation to build a relationship upon. Pretending not to remember and minimizing his actions is nothing but a form of self delusion. Adding statements to the effect, "I pulled your hair , but that't the way it was done." Get real! Just because some other bully pulled hair somewhere in history does not mean 'that was what was done then.' Certainly there were many who CHOSE not to pull hair, hit with barbed wire or whatever the case during that, or any time of history.
The girls and wife were not out of balance in questioning whether or not his words were for the audience, or the camera, and for needing time to witness what would be the reality with the passage of time. My ex even used to say after the fact things such as, 'I only said what I said to carry the moment,' or 'I've reconsidered and I didn't do anything wrong, but if I did it was because.....' totally minimizing any so called expressions of 'sorrow.' Sorrow is not wrong, but it is not the only ingredient involved, nor is it the most important part of dealing with what really happened.

I agree fully with the poster Diane, in there being an absence of an 'unqualified apology' from Larry.

Troy, the girls were not whining. Years of pent up frustrations, unbearable emotional and physical pain and torment has to be able to find its expression. When the offender refuses to acknowledge participation in the abuse, the fullness of the trangressions needs to be revealed, because to speak of only one or two episodes only gives opportunity to minimize the ongoing hell they lived through, and causes them to have to repress the reality of their experience. Lets face it, there was one 'man' sitting there in denial of what four people bore witness to through personal experience.
Larry's body language, tone of voice and facial expressions all worked together in a manner which raised the question of his sincerity and/or his ability to clearly see the heart of the issues being addressed.
Dr. Keith, you were spot on in trying to reframe the picture in an attempt to get Larry to see his past and present perceptions of what trasnpired, and to look beyond his own perceptions to see what his wife and children experienced.
For Larry, the first real step in dealing with the issues is for him to see where he is lying to himself. Whe he can see the truth of the matter, then he will begin to be able to reframe his childhood, his marriage, his responsibility as a father, which should lead to him making better choices in all his relationships in life.
For the ladies, it is definitely a challenge to be able to move on and grow from this challenge, whatever the path Larry ultimately chooses. I have compassion for your situations. I have expereienced similar circumstances, and I have an understanding of the internal battles you face. Keep strong, move on, focusing on making appropriate choices for your lives as individuals and as family members. There is no shame in what you have experienced at the hand of another. You have the opportunity to create a new legacy for yourselves and your extended family and I pray you find the path to a better one then was handed to you.

Dear Dr keith,Todays show hit home,I've been try to repair my relationship with my son and dauter for some time now,I can't go to see them,because it's become to hard for me to travel,I can only write to them both,i don't know what else i can do to improve our relationship,Can you please help!
Thank you
MR Robert Walker

I have a similar situation with my husband. He is not physically abusive (thankfully!) but is emotionally and verbally abusive.
The similarity is that like Larry, he truly does not understand that there is anything wrong with his behavior or that it is not "normal"....he thinks I am crazy and overreact. He cannot ever admit fault or say he is sorry. No matter how many times we have discussed this, he just does not see or understand the problem and seems very unwilling to try.
I saw the same behavior in Larry - a total inability to see the situation from someone else's perspective. This is not so much about who is right or wrong as it is about being willing to open yourself up to others....really hear them and be willing to try things differently...to really see their pain, understand it, and show that you care. The relationship will never heal until he "gets" it.
It doesn't matter what actually happened, the girls feel hurt and betrayed and all they want is to see that it matters to him - that he is sorry and will put his arms around them and beg their forgiveness. This is not an admission of "guilt" but an admission of caring.
My question is: How do you get someone to do that??? Has anyone out there had success with this? I know why my husband acts the way he does - he was brought up without role models in his life to teach him how to treat people. However, that knowledge does not ease the pain of him not seeing how much he is hurting me. As a result, I have built up a lot of anger - just like Larry's daughters - and find myself lashing back at him and resenting him. This just creates an endless cycle of pain for everyone.
Does anyone out there have some solutions to help others in this same situation?

I have watched Dr. Keith show pretty regularly for the past 6-8 months. Never have I had to watch someone dig so hard for an apology. I felt bad for the girls dad. The girls were coming on the show to get an apology from their dad - he apologized and the 2 daughters still sat there and were too good for the apology. To get an interview from your ex-wife is just ridiculous! What ex wouldn't talk bad on the other ex. I really felt that this episode was over played and way more dramatic then the situation really is. I am 23 year old woman who got spanked daily, and I know dozens and dozens of friends and family who had the same discipline. Dr. Keith kept saying "when you beat them" , the key word should be discipline! 20 years ago, spanking was discipline. Maybe the girls need to fess up and tell the whole world what they did wrong to have a "beating" follow. I also feel strongly that the mother has had some influence on how these girls feel towards their dad. If it was so horrible and cruel why didn't the mom step up and call the police. She is just as responsible. I agree with 'Anonymous', two of these girls are really selfish and no matter what the father confesses to and how much he apologizes it will never be good enough for them and the girls will continue to make excuses as to why they can't believe his apology! Some things you just need to get over and quit harboring it. We all have our own hard stories!

** Sorry to be so blunt

The guy admitted he screwed up because he didn't know any better. He had agressive stressed out parents, so he was the same, and those annoying girls are probably bad parents too. That was the truth. The constant bugging "admit it, admit it!" was so annoying I wanted to jump into the tv and hit those girls myself.

Dr. Keith,

The guy on the show reminds me so much of my family. What they continually say is that you should just get over it. The problem is is that these are the emotions of a child not an adult and children can't just "get over it". I don't believe that you can use the excuse that "this is how I was raised and I don't know any better", because I don't raise my son the way that I was raised.

i was raised buy 2 parents that were worse than these girls could imagine and i think they need to GET OVER IT move on if you let it rule your life THEY STILL HAVE CONTROL your never gonna get what you want from him just GET OVER IT all these women make me sick acting like they are still victims and they very well may be but ONLY BECAUSE THEY WANT TO BE so GROW UP MOVE ON LET IT GO

I am glad my daughter did not see this show, or it was not not on when I was growing up. Get real! when did kids get the impression and the idea that Mom's and Dad's can not spank kids." Child abuse" Give me a break!!

Dr Keith was way OFF - the dad kept saying he did the best he could - you did not accknowledge the fact that in his time - spanking was called disispline - now called "abuse" - you really missed the boat on this one -these girls are whineys and should be thankful for a father who taught them discipline - I was very disappointed that you did not acckowdlegde this difference over the ages of parental discipline. You allowed these spoiled brats to blame their father for what has made them strong.

Dear Dr. Ablow,

I agree with the comments concerning the fact that the daughters with the supposive abusive father did not have much to complain about. I was an abused child and I found it laughable that these girls were upset because their father supposivly neglected to take them to disney world.
My father refused to drive up until I was a teen and he abused me both physically and mentally. My father would not have even come on a show like Dr.Ablows much less appologized for anything. I am not even certain Larry did any of the things the girls said he did to them. I can tell you that even at 35 years old my father still verbally abuses and manipulates me, and if he had showed me even half of what Larry showed for his girls, I wouldn't be complaining on national tv about it either.

I am watching this show now, via television. I'm a 36 year old female. I'd like for these girls to know that they don't know how easy they had it. My step father abused me mentally, physically, and sexually and I'm sorry for their pain, but the truth is that they just don't really know what abuse is. Just because you don't enjoy getting a spanking doesn't qualify the spanking as abuse. I for one am glad they didn't have to live a day of my childhood.

I would also like to share that I've forgiven him. I haven't had an appology, I haven't gotten to sit in front of him and share the pain I have lived. But at age 30, I forgave him. It's a choice you have to make within yourself. Even if you don't feel like it at the time, you make the decision to forgive and you live on trying to be a better person than he was.

I have 4 beautiful children. I have spanked them when they needed it, but our home is full of love and respect for one another.

I believe the world has gone a little overboard with the belief that a spanking constitutes abuse. I also believe that the lack of discipline is the greatest factor of why we see children doing the things they do and ending up in prisons.

I believe that discipline should be done in love. The few times I've had to discipline my children with a spanking, it hurt me deeply, but my children know I love them. I always talk to them after they have calmed down and explain to them before they get into trouble.. what they did and why it was wrong.

The abuse I saw there was Larry's lack of love and compassion, and his lying, it was mostly mental, besides pulling the beautiful daughters hair. But we also need to learn that people make mistakes. Everyone does. Wrong choices that MUST be acknowledged in order to move on. Larry shouldn't lie about what he's done, but on the other hand, his children need to realize the true definition of physical abuse.

I will be praying for healing throughout the family. The Truth will bring it home.
God bless.

The one thing I didn't see on this show today was an 'unqualified apology'. This man really isn't sorry for anything he put his kids or wife thru - he simply used the forum to justify his behaviors. To me that is not acceptable. To the people who think these girls disrespect their father - you havn't walked in their shoes. When the one man in the world who should be respectful and loving to his daughters behaves in a manner that is totally opposite (calling names, physical abuse, mental abuse, etc.), there is so much emotional pain. What they need to realize is that not every man who reproduces is worthy of the title "Father". Why in the world would these girls ever care about someone like that? I wish them Peace and the ability to move away from him and his hurtful ways.

This is the first time I've seen this show and all I saw was a man that was put to the fire for a full hour. First, you had 3 whiney daughters that didn't deserve a dad in the first place. Who makes a person recall all disciplinary events they gave their children and then apologize for them? Stupid. What about the mother? Did she ever scream at the children or hit them? Was she required to apologize for each event in order to be a part of her girl's lives? Stupid. The man apologized a hundred times over. Why should here recount each event and apologize for it? Stupid. Like the father said, "What do you want, blood?" Advice to father: Dump these girls while you still have a heart beat. They're not worth the trouble.

God doesn't expect us to bend and go against our moral and accept a "dis-honorable" person, parent or not. Remember that, and keep your head up high for being more honorable than a person who would abandone their own flesh and blood. It's not your fault, it's theirs. Be the bigger person like you know you are.

Patsy! You are so right. Dr. Laura's book helped me SO much. My mother was the one that negected and abused me, but my dad, after years of sticking up for me, abandoned me too, to save his marriage. I can't think of anything more painful than not being loved by my mother, but I adleast had the memories of my father loving me. The father-daughter bond is so liberating and inspiring for girls. I cry about my relationship with my mom, but I am the successful women today because of my father.

My name is Emily, I am 16 and these three girls are my cousins. I have a close family, so I know these girls very well. They are amazing. Sarah is the best mom ever and she does it alone. Sarah is so beatiful and nice and an amazing singer. She heads up many mission trips and is just an amazing person. Amy has been through a lot and she is still usually always smiling. It is really hurtful that people would say stuff like "get over it". They are truly remarkable people, and that man was never a good father, uncle, brother, or anything.

Watching the show my mother was quit. She then talked about how Larry had hit HER and her twin sister. This man had a temper and was much much worse than he was made out to be.

You were not in these 3 girls position. So maybe you shouldn't judge them. It is just a thought.

I would love to find my father and talk with him about why he left me and my siblings after my my mom passed away. I tried once I graduated from College, but was not successful. I'm now 34 years old with my own family and my husband is a wonderful father and he conitues to ask me to go over to a cousins house who would know my fathers where abouts buut I refuse. He tried before we got married and when I was pregnant with our daughter. I have been marrierd for 6 years now and I wonder if he even thinks about me.

I am very proud of the girls! They are taking something very painful in their lives and are trying to move past it and develop a relationship with their father. I think an issue that was not addressed was the emotional and mental abuse they are still experiencing. Calling his children and asking them if they have lost weight or found a boyfriend yet...does not build self esteem. There is more to a person than the way they look and their relationship status. I also think that their mom is an incredible person. She is raising 7 kids alone and is being supportive of her girls' decision to develop a relationship with their father. I believe it would be very difficult to support your children to develop a relationship with a man you know that has hurt you and your children. I think the girls have a lot of issues to overcome with their father. If they are unable to, I don't think it would be a loss though because he seems like an evil person that won't admit to the damage he has caused them and the girls have obviously done very well without him. I wish Kristin, Sara, and Amy the best of luck and admire their courage to confront their father and to try to move past his physical, mental, and emotional abuse. A message for the girls...Do what is best for you and not what the message board tells you or what your father wants. You are the only ones who know the abuse you have experienced and know what you are capable of handling and overcoming.

Dr. Keith;
In regard to the sisters that confronted their father for his past actions and the way they were raised I have to say that I thought it was unfair the way the father was pushed and attacked, believe me, I know what the sisters felt like but in order to grow up and get over the hurts of the past they have to forgive and UNDERSTAND He didn't know better! they are young, they have life ahead, they have the opportunity to do better than him!. After he said he was sorry several times they still questioned him.....ok, you want an apology and when you get it you can't take it? they don't want him to be sorry to me, is clear they want revenge! and is not going to help them live a healthy life....GET OVER IT!
As for Dr Keith, very respectfully I have to say that he often to attack his guests, pushing them to what they are not ready for, and often taking a side without considering the "other side of the coin". This sisters were so full of rage, hate and unforgiveness that doens't matter how sorry the father was, it would make a difference........Please, consider both side of the stories.

Thoses girls need to read Dr. Lauras "Bad Childhood, Good Life". Move on, create their own legacy.

I really feel for those 3 ladies. I know how they feel, My so-called dad is like that; He doesn't have anything to do with me or my girls.... { I can't say I haven't tried } My so-called dad is like that dad--- He don't amint he did anything wrong. { Funny me, my sister , and brother sees it different } How do you get him to open up, To talk about it ??? To say " I am sorry," And " I LOVE YALL " ? ?????? HOW ????? I wish I had a dad, I missed out on everything, and now my girls are missing out, On a Grand-pa. And the sadest part about it, Is I DON'T EVEN THINK HE CARES..Those Ladies are wasting their time---- I have wasted my time by my so called dad not loveing me-- I ain't going to waste my daughter's time--- By them being 2 nd best to the other grand-kids.....

I was one of the girls on the show. First of all everyone is entitled to their own opinion, however please respect what it took for us to address these issues. All the talk about physical abuse – yes there are people who have had a much more violent upbringing. The physical abuse from my father is not what still hurts, those wounds have healed. Growing up with someone talking to you day in and day out in a disrespectful and degrading way, is not ok and is not the best a parent could do. I agree no one’s perfect but to go through being told you weren’t good enough – is NOT ok. So yes we may have come off as cold towards him but 20+ years of emotional turmoil is not going to go away over night. Also you saw him for an hour on camera spend a day or week with him and then post your judgmental comments. You will quickly see how hard it is to love him – not just us but his two brother’s nieces, nephews, etc…

Some father daughter relationships can't be repaired. I only asked my father to say he was sorry and show feeling that he meant it. He won't and never will. Child molesters won't give up that control.

My name is Tom. I am 51 years old and have been married to my wife for 27 years. We have 8 wonderful children, ages 13-27.

I am presently being treated for major depression. I have received two electro-convulsive treatments and was hospitalized an additional two times because of depressive breakdowns, (within the last 5 years). I am also profoundly hearing impaired in my left ear and severely impaired in my right ear. I am also being treated for sleep-apnea and narcolepsy.

I am telling you all this because I have used my disabilities to excuse my abusive behaviors towards my wife and children for the last 24 years. (I have not lived with the family for the last 5 years.) It has only been within the last year that I have finally stopped denying the extent of the terror, the pain, both physically and emotionally,that I caused and have only now realized why my wife is filing for a divorce. I had always felt that she would take me back, but now I know I have destroyed any trust and love that we might have had in the past. There is nothing left to build a relationship on.

The fact that I am disabled and have had to deal with depression for most of my life is absolutely no excuse for the violence I perpetuated. As long as I kept making excuses, I was trapped with no possibility of moving forward toward living a life free from despair and isolation. Even though my wife has made it clear that there is no chance of reconciliation, I do feel that I am a stronger man for facing and owning up to the truth of my barbarism.

I was dismayed that I witnessed Larry being applauded for "taking the first step" toward reconciling with his family. There was nothing in his tone of voice or in his body language to indicate that he had indeed taken the first step which is to understand exactly what he had done to his family! How can he appologize when he doesn't have a clue of the harm he did to his daughter and wife. I should know, I've been there and I know just how slithering and manipulating abusers are. No one wants to admit that they have been a horror to those they supposedly love. It took five years of agonizing and soul searching for me to finally realize the truth. From watching Larry, I don't think there is any hope for him or his family unless he is "broken" so that there nothing left for him to hide behind. Larry really pulled the wool over everyones eyes!

I WATCHED THIS SHOW AND WAS TOTALLY SHOCKED THAT THE DR. WOULD EVEN MAKE A SHOW OVER A DAD SPANKING HIS GIRLS. WELL I WAS SPANKED AS A CHILD KIDS NEED TO BE SPANKED FROM TIME TO TIME I THINK THOSE SPOILED GIRLS OWE THERE DAD A PUBLIC APOLOGY FOR MAKING HIM APOLIGIZE FOR LOVING HIS DAUGHTERS ENOUGH TO SPANK THEM AND TO COME ON THE SHOW A SUFFER BEING BAGERED LIKE SOME CRIMINAL. YOU KNOW SPARE THE ROD SPOIL THE CHILD. IF THE CHILDREN TODAY GOT SPANKED LIKE THEY USED TO GET SPANKED WE WOULD NOT HAVE TO HAVE SHOWS LIKE NANNY 911 WHERE TO KIDS WALK ALL OVER THERE PARENTS AND THE PARENTS HAVENT GOT A CLUE WHY. THERES A DIFFERANCE BETWEEN ABUSE AND DISAPLINE TODAY WE HAVE THROWN THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATH WATER BEACAUSE OF THE ABUSE THAT SOME CHILDREN HAVE SUFFERED AT THE HANDS OF REAL ABUSERS WE HAVE MADE IT SOCIALLY UNEXEPTABLE TO TOUCH OUR CHILDREN TO DISAPLINE IN THIS WAY. THIS IS WHY OUR CHILDREN ARE OUT OF CONTROL TODAY. MOST KIDS NEED THIS FORM OF PUNISHMENT OR THEY GROW UP TO BE DIRESPECTFUL LAW BREAKERS. IF WE DIDN'T HAVE DOCTERS RUNNING AROUND TELLING US THAT WE ARE BEING ABUSED WHEN OUR PARENTS GIVE US A SWITCHING WE WOULDN'T HAVE SO MANY CHILDREN ON DRUGS AND IN JAILS. I BLAME THE SYSTEM THAT TOOK THE RIGHTS AWAY FROM THE PARENTS AND THE TV SHOWS THAT MAKE THE PARENTS FEEL LIKE BAD PEOPLE WHEN WE SPANK OUR KIDS THE OLD FASHION WAY. I SAW THIS DAD AS NOT A PERFECT DAD BUT HE DID DO THE BEST HE COULD AND IT DIDN'T SEEM THAT BAD TO ME. SHAME ON THOSE GIRLS AND SHAME ON THIS SHOW.

I was in the studio audience for this show and since my husband had a troubled relationship with his father as a child I thought it would be very painful. My husband has reached out to his father many times and unfortunately, there is just nothing there to work with. My husband's step-father who married his mother three years after he and I married is more like a father to my husband than his own flesh and blood father. I believe when one door closes, another opens. We wish my husband's biological father no ill will be he is not the kind of person that we chose to have in our life because he will never admit that he played a part in the breakup of his first marriage or even the next two that failed after it.

I THINK THATS A VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC THATS THE STORY OF MY LIFE ME AND MY DAD HAVE NO FATHER AND DAUGHTER RELATIONSHIP WE HAVE NEVER HAD A CONVERSATION THAT HAS LASTED MORE THAN 20 MIN UNLESS IS HIM GETTING AFTER ME OR HIM BEING UPSET ABOUT SOMETHING I DID. ITS REALLY HARD BECAUSE AT THIS POINT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO CONNECT I HAVE ALWAYS FELT REJECTION FROM HIM AND OVER THE YRS I HAVE ALSO REJECTED HIM BACK AND KEPT MYSELF AWAY FROM OPENING UP TO HIM

After watching the show I was angry with both parents. To the girls I say,"You know what happened. Don't doubt yourselves. You have each other to lean on. Do that if you can. BOTH your parents are toxic. Your father lies and performs well in front of cameras. Your mother has made sure she herself is safe by staying away from your father but thinks it is important for you to connect because "he is your father." So much for maternal instinct. SO WHAT IF HE IS YOUR FATHER. He is not a nice man. Stay away from him. Stay safe. Fill your lives with kind people. Stay in individual therapy. Heal.

After watching your show I had to comment on how you were trying so hard to make the father say thing that he did not need to say or admit too. He was there said he was sorry and did the best job he could do at the time. He sound like he is in therapy. You keep on digging for him to say something you wanted him to say????? I think the daughters just dont want to move on. We all have experienced some thing with our parents. They did the best job they could from what they learned from their parent. The mother just wanted to bash him and bring up the past thing he did and has put that on her children. I was mostly disappointed in you for drilling him to say thing just to have you hear what you and his daughters wanted. How many times did he have to say over and over Im sorry. Your show disappointed me, but I will watch again hopefully you wont be so one sided.

Dr. Keith:
In referrence to yesterday's show regarding 3 sisters who couldn't move on without thier dad's apology I have one comment for them: GET OVER IT!!! Some of what they spoke of about their upbringing was exactly what my brothers & I grew up with and then some. We were abused in all the same ways and in addition, I was sexually abused by my father during many years. I had no closure because my dad died suddenly and I too cried for him but felt TREMENDOUS relief because we hated his behavior and feared him to no end. But if they don't learn to forgive and have a wee bit of compassion for their dad, they'll never be at peace. When I learned that this behavior is "passed on", I promised myself to break the cycle. I never hit my daughters and when my brother became abusive toward his son I set him straight. As the years passed I also learned bits and pieces of my father's rearing and of his father's. I really believe the gentleman when he said he did the best he could- that was what he was disciplined ( and look how well he turned out). I'm 56 years old now and have had to learn to let go. What happened to me was awful, but I survived to become an asset to my family, church and community. I'll bet that if they tried, they can make a list of how their dad's behavior (although atrocious) has influenced them in a positive way. Because of my experience I learned to love to read, I am comfortable being alone, I know how to choose my friends, I'm punctual, I'm honest, I'm faithful (my dad was not), I'm compassionate, I got good grades in school, I don't drink or smoke, etc. Since they have the chance to go to therapy, I wish them the best. But no therapy in the world will work if THEY don't forgive too.

It was nice to see the family give their father one last chance. The lady in the audience who's Dad had passed away basically put things into perspective. That was incredibly brave of the father to put himself infront of so many people. I truly hope it works out for them and that the abusive cycle is broken once and for all. Good job, Dr. Keith!

Kess

The show today I thought was kind of unfair to the father. I too was spanked and pinched when I was growing up and I would never think of asking my parent for my forgiveness. Those girls seem selfish. Now a days I have friends that have kids that are very bad misbihaved since we cant even discipline our children it seems like the kids are the ones in charge now.

After watching todays' show I felt compelled to comment. Those poor girls are wasting their time with their father. He apologized without admitting anything, and he probably never will. I have had some of the same issues with my own father. If you asked him, my childhood was perfect although I have very few good memories of him. He is always right and everyone else is to blame for everything. Even moments after something happened, he had his own version which was so far from the truth is was laughable,and he believed it with all of his heart, and would never admit to anything else. I got to the point that I felt I had to chose not to have a person like that and all of the drama in my life. It has been about nine years since I talked to him, and I don't miss him. I'm sad that I don't have a good father daughter relationship and that he has never met his son in law or grandson. But the alternative just isn't worth it. It is draining putting up with someone like that and going through all of the hurt.