Many parents who were abused as children, find themselves dealing with emotional problems or dysfunctional behaviors when they become parents. To avoid having their children feel they are the cause, or as if they're being rejected, certain parents will share memories of their abusive past to help the child understand them better, or to explain why they no longer have contact with past family members.
In contrast, other parents never share their abusive past, to avoid placing emotional burdens on the child. So the child may view the parents behavior as a form of rejection, or it may leave them confused. Some children may even blame themselves for how a parent behaves when they have no other explanation.
Which of the 2 choices do you feel is best? Would another alternative be better than either? If a parent reveals their past, what would be an appropriate age for the child? Is it a form of abuse to share painful memories of abuse with children?
2006-11-24
01:45:01
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9 answers
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asked by
Anonymous