I could not continue my journey through celebrity memoirs by ignoring Jennette McCurdy’s book, I’m Glad My Mom Died, which details abuse by the former child actress’ mother.
McCurdy’s Story: I’m Glad My Mom Died
McCurdy, the former actor known for the Nickelodeon sitcom iCarly and several others, wrote her memoir with a sense of humor. It is not a dark, depressing account of one instance of child abuse after another. I found her use of humor to be inspirational. Her goal to write a good book first motivated me in my writing process.
McCurdy says she was also “so repressed and delayed developmentally” because of her mom’s control.
Jennette McCurdy on Healing from Physical and Emotional Abuse by Her Mom (people.com)
Jennette waited for her mother to be dead before she wrote her memoir. This is common practice in all the writers I have researched. As I stated in a previous blog post, Michelle Phillips criticized Mackenzie Phillips for waiting for her father, John Phillips, to die before writing her memoir. Michelle, John’s second wife, insinuates that Mackenzie has been deceptive or sneaky by doing this. Since John was dead, Michelle complains, he could not rebuke his daughter’s claims of abuse. The Dark Truth: Mackenzie Phillips’ Memoir
“It was only distance from her that allowed me to get healthy.”
Jennette McCurdy on Healing from Physical and Emotional Abuse by Her Mom (people.com)
My Thoughts:
I was glad too when my dad died.
There is nothing sneaky about waiting for the abuser to die before writing. It takes time for a victim to process the actions of their abuser. Space is needed, too, and the death of the abuser gives the victim the best opportunity to deal with the abuse honestly with themselves. After my father died, I began processing, and then I started writing. I wrote first as a part of therapy, and at that point, I never intended to publish a book.
If the video above is not available, find it in these links below.
Watch The View TV Show – ABC.com
The minds and emotions of children who are raised in abuse develop wrong. It often takes years and decades to sort through the abuse. In my case, and as with many others, it took 50 years. It also took the freedom of knowing my father was dead and he could no longer hurt me before I could deal with the memories, thoughts, and emotional harm caused by his abuse.
and Buy the Book
“I really did try to write a good book. The fact that it was about my life was, honestly, secondary.”
Jennette McCurdy, The View, September 12, 2022, YouTube video
“I think there is a story worth telling here.”
I will be glad, too, when my mom dies.
I was relieved when my father died. Knowing my nightmare was over, I felt no sadness. Do not judge me for this. You haven’t lived my life.
When my mother is gone, I know I will feel the same.
I completely understand McCurdy’s statements in the above video. My goal has always been, first and foremost, to write a good book. I hope I have accomplished that goal.
Today, McCurdy has retired from acting. She now focuses on writing and music. In addition to her memoir, she is also writing novels.
Pictured here is the cover of her music album.
Links about McCurdy
Jennette McCurdy (@jennettemccurdy) • Instagram photos and videos
The Biggest Bombshells from Jennette McCurdy’s Memoir (people.com)
Jennette McCurdy’s New Two-Book Deal Includes A Debut Novel (elitedaily.com)
The Intro to McCurdy on My Homepage
Jennette McCurdy on My Homepage
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If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at
1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org.
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