Nobody’s Family is going to Change is by Louise Fitzhugh. The story is about the Sheridan’s; a brother and sister Willie and Emma and their cruel, judgmental and disapproving father and dysfunctional mom.

The story is mainly about the daughter Emma who goes to great lengths to reform her parents into being kind and decent people. While Emma’s efforts and her good nature are wasted she does reach a new and powerful understanding of her family. Near  the end of the story while she is listening to her brother and father argue Emma realizes that her father will never be caring because he doesn’t want to be.  

When Emma sees that her father’s cruelness is something he values, she decides to stop wasting her time trying to change her family.

When we treat emotional abusers as if they are merely ignorant or emotionally inept we neglect emotional abuse and its serious and devastating consequences.  

We can’t change people. People behave the way they do because it works for them. Love your family while coming to grips with the problems and live your life.   

 Nobody’s Family is going to Change is a great book.