Thanks for reading and responding Melodie. If you believe that the story I have told is one of the consequences of non-obedience then I’m afraid I’ve failed to tell the story accurately. I intended to share a story of frustration, of the impact that we have as individuals on our families, and that sometimes what seems like a tough action is in fact self-less. If this hasn’t come across then I’ll try harder to describe the situation better in future.

I understand how some will see this as me ‘throwing her away’, but I believe that as my daughter was not happy and not being who she wanted to be, I have provided her with the freedom she needs to address what she needs to, in an environment with the support that will help her thrive.

Unlike her mother, I’m still involved in my daughter’s life, we communicate, we share news, and this week I attended her new school to see the new chapter of her life that she has started, which where she was nearly five years ago when she came to live with me was something that was far from her thoughts.

Lives are complicated and we sometimes can’t sum up all in a few short words, but rest assured I’ve questioned myself over the things you state, and I’m not here to seek approval. In our lives, we should not seek the approval of others, but be comfortable in the knowledge that we have done the best we can in the situations we are dealt.