I've had friends condemn my husband and say that he would only reoffend, that they couldn't understand why I stayed with him. I attempted to give then the true facts, but after awhile, I cut them out of my life. My life is already hard, and dealing with their judgement didn't help.

I had a friend tell me I only wanted to be with my boyfriend because I was that desperate for a relationship. She only said that after I decided to tell her the truth. Before that she thought he was great and was so happy I was with someone who had such a positive impact on me.

I also had family members tell me I was throwing my potential away for someone who could never give me a life I deserved. When I got pregnant one of my oldest and best friends treated me like I had a teen pregnancy, that I threw my life away because I was going to be a mom. Mostly because he knew my boyfriend is the father. In other words, it doesn't matter what an SO does after their conviction, people will still treat them like they are one of the bad seeds in our society. Anyone who chooses to look beyond the sin and treat them as Jesus treated thieves and prostitutes are the only people worth keeping in your life. Everyone else seems less than to me. I look at those people and I pity them because they lack the capacity for unconditional love in their lives.

My advice would be to stop sharing your sons situation openly and only confide in those whom you are 110% certain are supportive of you. If anyone else asks I would tell them it's a private matter you don't feel like sharing.

People who say such things only do so because they are not in the situation – it sounds like your friend believes that her child would never do that and WE all know that is not true. I have had ‘friends’ say similar things to me and even family members. Well intentioned folks (even family) will say things like my son is different but other Registered Citizens are where they should be. They just don’t get it but I plug away with information (for family) and write off the friends that are not truly friends.

The hardest part is I have to see her everyday. By the way her husband is always right and her children are adults and they are perfect. I wonder if they aren't perfect if she would still love them. I thank god for my families and real friends that know my son and want him to come home and get the help he needs and move on with his life. But she made me realize she is the type of people he will have to deal with when comes home. Thank you for being kind. With the holidays being so hard she put salt in an open wound.

Worriedmompa, so sorry you are having to deal with this. My son will be in prison til 2020. He did some horrible things.I know he needs help and hope he gets it but don't know if they really get help in prison or not. I have friends and family tell me he should die in prison, should be shot, hung, and more. They are very judgemental and think he deserves no love or mercy. It has come to the point where I never talk to them about my son or what is happening with him. If they try to talk to me about I have to tell them I don't want to hear it or walk away. Since these things have happened I never share my sons story with anyone. If people that don't already know ask me how my son is doing I simply tell them he lives in another city and is doing good. It is very sad that it has to be this way because it means I pretty much have no one to talk to that I can trust. If your friend/employee says anything else to you about your sons situation just tell her you will not discuss it with her. I also know what you mean about her perfect family. For some reason friends and family have a need to share with me what a wonderful job they have done raising their children and what great much money they make, what great jobs they have,blah blah blah. I think it makes them feel safe and superior. I truly hope they never have their world crash around them the way mine has. I hope your true friends and family continue to support you . Have a Merry Christmas with them I will pray for you and your son.

Keep your head up - never back down or show any shame what so ever. People like her are idiots to think their family is untouchable. There are many on these boards that once had the "perfect" family. Little did they know what was lurking in the shadows of their loved ones. Prescription drug addictions and yes, addiction to pornography which has lead many here. She would surely collapse under half of what many here have gone through. In my opinion the real abomination is someone that would throw their loved ones out with the trash when they need them the most.

To answer your question, no I have not had anyone say anything to me about the support i give my son. Most are understanding or maybe just scared to opine - i am a very up front kind of person and not afraid to tell it like i see it. You will find the kind of people that offer support and be in better company for it.

Everyone apart from my mum and kids have turned against me !!! I just hope that I could be a better friend if it happened to them..........A mother should stick by her kids whatever !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Take consolation in the fact that the friend at work really doesn't know what she would do if it happened to her... Because until it really does happen to her, whatever she says is lip service.

I always cut people off whenever they try to say something like that, because no matter what the subject or situation, until they are really in it, they do not know how they will react, handle or survive it. If they try to say that they do know tell them they are delusional and walk away, because they are not smart enough to have you as a friend. :)

Thank you, I can't find the words to tell you how much this support group is helping me thru this nightmare.