the curious incident of the dog in the night-time

Why did the father think it was a good idea to keep the letters from Christopher? Christopher had the right to know that his mother was still alive and that she was writing him letters. The fact that the father kept the letters from him is extremely messed up. If I found out that my mother was still alive and living in London after my father told me she was dead for all of these years, I'd never forgive my father even if it was for my own protection. That not something you could keep from your child, and eventually they will find out the hard way whether you mean it to happen or not.