1 more ?

[Shychiquita13]

Hi again everyone,

Thanks Ann for responding to my question. I'll get back to you more later once i figure everything out. I just have one more question.

Does anyone know the definition of emotional abuse or any info. on it?? :confused:

Thanks...

[Ann]

Hello again Shychiquita
Here is a formal legal definition
"Emotional abuse is a pattern of behavior that attacks a child's emotional development and sense of self-worth. Emotional abuse includes excessive, aggressive or unreasonable demands that place expectations on a child beyond his or her capacity. Constant criticizing, belittling, insulting, rejecting and teasing are some of the forms these verbal attacks can take. Emotional abuse also includes failure to provide the psychological nurturing necessary for a child's psychological growth and development -- providing no love, support or guidance " (National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse, 1987).

And here are a couple of websites with more information
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hppb/familyviolence/html/emotioneng.html
http://www.preventchildabuse.com/emotion.htm

What you described in your previous post sounds as though it would fit within this definition if it happens a lot. Emotional abuse and the degree of emotional buse is sometimes hard to prove in a legal sense.But it is very real and very hurtful. I am sorry that you and your brother have to go through this kind of thing.

When deciding what to do about your situation please remember that you want to make very sure that the solution is not going to be worse than the situation you are escaping from. For example sometimes people run away from a home where there is a lot of yelling and threatening only to find that they have no where to go but on the street. On the street they may find people who say they will be nice but then when they go with them they turn out to be very physically abusing. Anyone thinking of leaving home needs to be sure they really have a safe place to go with someone they know well and can trust.

Sometimes the best thing is to talk to a counselor at school or a moinister at church and ask if they can arrange some help and maybe some help too for the parent who is lashing out and hurting. Many times the person who abuses was abused themself and is repeating the patterns of their own life. Other times they are so overwhelmed with things in their life that they are angry all the time and blow up at everything. Praying really does help too. People can change and God is the strongest power to help a person change.

Please keep posting and let us know how you are. I will be praying for you.

[Marilyn]

Been there, done that honey. Ann's legal definition sure hit home with me. My mother was an alcoholic. And she told me once that she didn't mind me breaking her anonymity if I thought it could help someone. Even though she's been gone since 1994, I still respect her privacy in that. But when I saw your post...well, I just had to let you know that you're not alone and that Ann is SO right about prayer helping. I wish I had known Jesus when I went through all of the yelling and name-calling and hurtful things. But that's ok. He saved me and replaced the pain with His love and assurance!

Father, I lift up this precious heart to You today. Touch her with Your gentle nudge just to let her know You're there with her. Minister Your Word to her heart and strengthen her in her resolve to uphold her family to You in prayer and believing. Save them Lord. Help her mom to turn the pain into peace - the hurt into joy. Bless this mother with a powerful revelation of Your will for her life and the lives of her family. Take what looks SO destructive and turn it into something peaceful and rich and full of Your love and glory! in Jesus' mighty name.

Let us know how you're doing, OK? And know that we're here if you need us! God Bless you!!