Janey Godley - Sometimes it's best when a mother leaves her children

LAST WEEK, I met with an old mate who caused a scandal by leaving her two young sons to be raised by their father back in 1983. She had married very young and soon discovered that her man was very demanding and bordered on being a bully, though he was a wonderful loving father who doted on his kids.

She couldn't face living with him, tried to commit suicide twice and finally came to the realisation that she had to leave, but she couldn't financially support her kids if she did.

She felt the boys would have a more stable life with their dad, a...