It’s Not in the Genes is the captivating memoir of a young woman who has the courage to leave her abusive mother in rural Missouri in the late 1950’s. In her attempt to escape an almost certain future of alcoholism and mental illness, she finds herself unable to raise her own six children any differently. Out of despair, she accepts an invitation from a friend that begins a journey towards breaking the cycle of abuse. Mothers and fathers of all ages will find themselves both in Mary’s painful struggles and in her family’s joyful triumphs. She shows us that while all parents are unique, our challenges are universal. Mary’s story brings to life the fact that the art of parenting is a heroic act, and she discovers her most important life lessons lie in the raising of her children.