I have to say, though-- the silver lining here is that children who encounter an adult like this when they have both parental support, open communication with supportive people in their lives, and the maturity to evaluate the situation objectively--

can learn early and WELL to set things aside as "it's really not me, here-- it's you."

Being able to do that and to acknowledge that feeling without getting stuck emotionally is huge. smile

Schrödinger's cat walks into a bar. And doesn't.