In my case, shame is something my father created for me. I'm ashamed of being ashamed because it's not my job to carry the burden. Unfortunately I'm not the only one in this situation. There are 28 million children in the United States with alcoholic parents (Family Alcoholism Statistics). Each of them understands the shame that comes from parenting. Why do I take responsibility for his actions? Why do I believe him every time he says he'll get clean but relapses six to nine months later? Questions that all those affected by an alcoholic family member ask themselves. We learn from our other parent. My mother didn't know how to handle it. In a way I assume she also felt it was her fault as I feel it is mine. An alcoholic person takes everyone with him. We have somehow made feelings like this. I always thought that if I could do well in sports or school I could keep him out of tough times and he would stay sober. I could never get enough of him to show up at my games or student banquets. Even if he said he would be there, something would “happen” and no dad. This caused me shame on a different level. All the other girls' dads were there, wearing t-shirts and cheering them on. I think my mother knew what I was trying to do. My mother became my coach for every sport I played. She was and is a super mom. She was forced to take on roles for both