I need some help here figuring thingsout
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I need some help here figuring thingsout
| Tue, 07-20-2004 - 10:22pm |
My 16yo DD has come to me telling me she is afraid of her Dad - my husband. He has slapped her in the face - once that he confessed to me. She says he has slapped her 8 times over the past 3 years. I know she smarts off, but I also know she doesn't deserve to be slapped. She tells me he has done this when I am not around to witness it. OK - so help me understand, when is it abuse? Should someone NEVER slap? What do I do? Leaving him seeems to be one answer - but all that goes with that seems so hard also - I'm just in a quandry & I need somewhere "safe" to talk about it all. I can't go to anyone with this just yet - I have fear that it could all backfire. CPS comes in - takes my daughter -etc. I guess my question here is where is the line? What is abuse vs. loss of control over someone smart mouthing their parent? I also have a son that he has been rough with (tried to kick him - but mostly missed - pushed and shoved him around. He also one time (10 years ago) slapped me, but never did it again.

Nevertheless, since she says she is afraid of him, and you've already considered the idea of leaving, if it were me, I'd leave. I believe under these circumstances, my first obligation would be to protect my child. If you have the financial means to get an apartment, moving out may also serve to give your DH a serious wake up call that slapping anyone in the family will no longer be tolerated. If you don't have the means to get an apartment just yet, hopefully a relative or friend can be of assistance.
All the best to you and your children,
Heymum
Hi Priscilla, welcome -
There's something other than the slap going on if she's scared of him.
CL-Blueliner4