Topic : 12/30 Extreme Discipline?

Mom - you SHOULD have taken that girl to a therapist IMMEDIATELY when she told you that she had been raped - what the heck is wrong with you?

Mom seems much more afraid of giving up the 'generous' provisions of her husband and the cost of that is the well-being of at least one if not all of her children.  For shame mom, for shame.

Dad, you know you are wrong - there may be way too much wrong with your wife and she's certainly not much of a mom to be honest as she's not really taking care of  her kids so much as making sure you continue to be 'generous' and she's either doped up or emotionally withdrawn and apathetic - but Dad, come on -- you know that this 'over-correction' by you is simply wrong. How on earth do you expect a daughter to come to you for emotionally help and support from a guy who thinks so little of her??  You aren't raising a daughter to go out and be successful - you are raising a very hurt fearful, fear-filled desperate girl.  Your wife is teaching her to acquise to the pain, to the humiliation and anger and fear she feels cause mom doesn't want to lose your 'generosity'.

Mom, what the heck is wrong with you that you expected the school to take care of your daughter after being raped by a family friend - that was and is YOUR responsibility - get off your duff and take care of your daughter by getting her some professional help - yes even if it means  twice a week you have to drive her to therapy sessions --- and when you do drive her do it without complaining or asking for her thanks or appreciation that you finally got her some badly needed help.  You didn't need your husband to go and find therapy for your daughter - you could and should have done that yourself and immediately.  Children who are sexually abused are very damaged and you are just both going to have to put her first for as long as it takes for her to get back on the right track.

One sugestion: that there's a Freudian slip in this message: It's the dad who has the "sub-conscience way" involved. Perhaps, or, more likely, on his conscious level, he does not mean to be cruel. But his conscience has failed him.

The choices he offered this child offered no choice. She could stay on the couch -- or what? Move out, and live on the streets? At 13? If that's your idea of raising a child, please don't have one. In this day and time, people can have full lives without having children they don't want to nurture.

 Yes, children can be and often are, stubborn, irritatng and difficult. But you probably were, too, and I hope your parents did not subject you to such drastic measures. If they did, that may help explain why your vision is what it is. And I beg you to get help to find kinder ways to raise any children who may be in your care. There really are better ways to find reconciliation of differences..

  This story could have been about my life.  Growing up with an abusive mother and being sexually molested; I truly feel for this young girl.  I heard my own words spoken back to me as Dr. Phil read her diary pages.  I am glad for what seems to be her faith in God and pray for her safety and deliverence.  God will turn all of this for good in His time and His way.  Several years ago, I had to turn my own cousins in for abuse.  If I had not had the abuse in my past I don't think (even with all my medical training) that I would have recognized what I saw in those children's eyes and later in their behaviors.  When my personal help was eventually pushed away I knew what I had to do and again because of my past I did what had to be done--I cannot stand by and allow someone else to be abused.  I pray this father and mother take the help offerred by Dr Phil and change their ways.  I pray this child uses that phone number if nothing changes or things get worse.  I pray for overall healing within this family which I fully believe can happen.  Thanks for this opportunity to share my thoughts.  FL Abuse Hotline  1-800-962-2873 (voice) / 1-800-453-5145 (TTY)

The papa does not leave me cold, at all. I just think he needs some help to learn how to be a better parent. I have no patience with his treatment of the older daughter -- but  I do not think he understands his role in making her probems, nor how to help her get through the earlier disasters she has experienced.

Mama also has made some grievous errors -- who among us has not? But the whole family, including younger ones, neds some help from therapists and counselors, methinks. That anyone wouldn't recognize that sexual abuse of child isa reason for medical and emotional care just amazes me, in this day and time.

on watching your show today. december 30th. i really felt sorry for the 13 yr old. i know that it's wrong to judge someone on doing something when you don't have the evedence especially when your talking about a 13 yr old being raped.  why can't the authorities jump in and take the 13 yr old out. i can't help but think that father did touch her daughter in a wrong manner. i just hope and pray she get's the help and council she needs.

These parents are both abusers.  I was shocked to see the look on their faces during the show.  The father looked arrogant and the mother just kept looking at her husband when asked for a response.  I'm so sorry for their daughter.  I thought maybe she might be taken away from the parents.  They didn't show emotion when their daughter talked about her possible suicide.  I'm not sure but these people don't look like they are

I was emotionally, physically, and sexually abused from the time I was about two until 17 from BOTH MY PARENTS!  If anyone even imagined this was going on nothing was done about it.  I realize that many years ago  abuse was hidden more than it is today.  I disociated all the abuse and didn't get help until I was 55 years old.  I found a Christian therapist and spent a long time in therapy to be the healthy woman I am today.  Yes, I was physically hurt, too much to describe.  The sexual abuse went on for years.  I eventually met a man who I married and made me feel protected and secure.  I pray that this girl can get help, even if she has to leave her home and live with someone who will love her unconditionally.  Her parents don't seem well emotionally.