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My three (27, 21 and 20) heard "No" plenty often enough, but I'll join the bandwagon in blaming the libs.

When my oldest was 13 or 14 we'd gone shopping for shoes. Money was in short supply, so she didn't get the (then) $80 Nikes. She was in a snit, and told me that not buying what she wanted was child abuse (She'd learned about it in school, you see) and that she was going to call Children's Protective Service on me.

I decided to save her the trouble, and drove directly to the police station with instructions to turn me in. She wouldn't get out of the car.

Needless to say, she changed her tune when she got her first part time job, and realized how long SHE would have to work for those shoes.

When the younger two were 14 and 13, I kicked their father out of the house. He developed a habit of dating while married, and just couldn't understand why I was upset. Eighteen months later, I met my current husband, whom the kids hated on principle. Their father paid them no attention, and I was finally starting to have a life.

For more than six months, every time I said no, I was told they'd just go live with their father.

Push came to shove one day in June, 1999, when my daughter cursed me out and my son hit me. They were gone within hours, and haven't spoken to me since.

And I have tried, repeatedly, to make contact.

I can't imagine how hard that must have been but you did the right thing. You drew a line and stuck to it. Just pray that they'll soon realize which of their parents actually had their best interest in mind before the marriage evaporated. When a spouse philanders, they are cheating their kids as well as the one they are married to. I hope your kids soon realize that.

Push came to shove one day in June, 1999, when my daughter cursed me out and my son hit me. They were gone within hours, and haven't spoken to me since.

And I have tried, repeatedly, to make contact.

They'll come around ... particularly as they begin to experience some of the joys of marriage and parenthood personally.

I'll be praying for their enlightenment.

God Bless ...