- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Mark Topic as New
- Mark Topic as Read
- Float this Topic for Current User
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Printer Friendly Page
Was I abused as a kid? Do I have childhood trauma?
Comments
Parenting is quite a complicated process because you have to feel the difference between helping your child and allowing him to solve the problem independently. Some parents worry too much about their children, so they grow up not self-sufficient and unprepared for adult life. I don't have children, but I help children in need. I learned about this opportunity here https://fosterplus.org. Moreover, I periodically attend information sessions to learn more about parenting.
Hey, @Charlie-29-1999 I'm proud of you for opening here. I agree with others that although he has no apologised and you have a better relationship with your dad this does not in any way invalidate your feelings. I also agree that although these situations have affected you, only you can decide if it was abuse and how it affected/affects you.
Im going to link a youtube channel that I looked into when I was too questioning if I went through abuse as a child in specific emotional abuse and childhood ptsd. Crappy Childhood Fairy - YouTube
I hope that it helps and that you feel comfortable continuing to share your story with us.
Hey @Charlie-29-1999
Thank you for sharing your story. Its very brave of you!
I am so glad that your dad has apologised and that your relationship is better now. Sometimes it can take a lot for a parent to remember or bring themselves to apologise. I know some parents have the mindset that they're never wrong and the kid is always wrong- can be very toxic! I'm happy for you that you got the apology you deserve. Even after an apology though it is completely valid to still feel hurt sometimes especially if it's something that has deeply affected you. I hope you continue your journey of healing and we're always here to listen!
Thank you for sharing your experience, and opening up about what happened before. Whether it was abuse or not, it's good that you can identify when your father was going over boundaries and being hurtful in your relationship. It's great to hear that you guys are making amends, but a reminder that apologizing does not mean as much without the following change in behavior. It's also great to hear that you are in a healthy relationship as your own, and whether your issues are or are not due to your past experiences with your dad, you can at least be aware that it might be and have more insight on how to address the struggle.
@Charlie-29-1999 I'm really sorry you had those experiences with your dad when you were younger. 😞 It really wasn't okay for him to treat you like that. Parents definitely aren't perfect people. I'm glad that your relationship is better now and that he's apologised.
I don't think it's uncommon to still think about these things from time to time. Even though he's apologised, that doesn't take away what he did and your feelings are totally valid and normal. Only you can decide whether or not it was abuse or trauma. Everyone's definitions and the things that they are affected by are different, but no less valid.
How do you feel when you look back on these memories? What helps you cope with anything you might be feeling?
Hi @Charlie-29-1999,
as @Bre-RO mentioned, thankyou so much for being so vulnerable and opening up here!
I am so glad to hear that you and your dad have a better relationship these days, and that he apologised for his behaviour and sought help, that's awesome! However, It sounds like there were things you experienced in your childhood that are still causing you some pain? I was wondering if you have spoken openly to anyone else about this or perhaps would consider seeing a professional just to help process how you're feeling?
Hey there @Charlie-29-1999 I just wanted to let you know that I'm happy you felt like you could open up about this here. It sounds like even though these experiences are in the past, that they still play on your mind sometimes, so it's good that you're talking about it.
I'm really happy to hear that things are better with your dad these days and that he has apologised to you, thats really important. I think it can be hard looking back on times where you feel your parents could have done better to handle their emotions. One massive thing I've learnt that has helped me a great deal, is that I can still love my parents and recognise that they are human and have made mistakes - but I can also have my own experience of that and that is totally okay. It doesn't mean that our parents were bad people but it's also okay to feel upset by those memories and need to chat to someone about it.
Some of things you mentioned here are like being grabby, pushy, slamming fists on the table etc are things most people would find unsettling and it isn't okay to treat anyone that way. So, I completely understand why you've felt the need to chat about it.
Just know that we are safe space for you to air out your memories of this and we are happy to listen to you
