Chapter 9 - Reena’s Childhood
Understanding Reena did not mean excusing her.
Her attorney eventually provided psychological evaluation as part of dependency case.
Reena grew up in a rigid household.
Not dramatic torture.
Control.
Her father locked pantry after dinner.
Children had to ask before eating.
Bedrooms inspected.
Silence after 8 p.m.
If she cried:
Laundry room until calm.
No locking? Sometimes latch.
She learned:
Isolation restores order.
Then adulthood.
She became a project coordinator.
Efficient.
Organized.
Warm in public.
When Drew was born, she struggled with sleep and anxiety.
No evidence of untreated postpartum psychosis.
No excuse through diagnosis.
But she had intense need for routine.
Aaron worked irregular construction-management hours.
Reena felt abandoned.
When Lily arrived, chaos doubled.
Drew regressed.
Night waking.
Food sneaking.
Tantrums.
Reena created:
quiet corner.
Then basement quiet room because upstairs wakeups disturbed Lily.
Then lock.
Then timed isolation.
Then withholding treats.
Then meals.
Then physical pulling.
Escalation.
Aaron objected.
Their marriage collapsed around discipline.
He shouted.
Punched garage drywall once.
Reena used that as evidence:
Aaron is dangerous.
He used her basement system as evidence:
Reena is dangerous.
Both had behaviors worth concern.
But only one parent was locking children away.
The mistake everyone made was thinking imperfect Aaron automatically made Reena safe.
May you like
Safety is not awarded by comparison.
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