Quote From: mlcoleOMG!! I know that show has not aired yet. However, the story of the mother ( and I use that word VERY loosely) slapping her mentally handicapped child in the face and beating her with a belt is just totally outrageous to me. I am a mother of a 15 yr old boy who has
Cerebral Palsy , Autistic, Asthmatic and is ADHD. The thought in his 15 years of life of laying a finger on him in violence yes I will admit has crossed my mind, but being a mother I know would not be in his best interest. He is the one who has issues and I am the adult so it is my job to be a nurturing, stable and loving figure in my son's life. This "mother" need to be in jail and have the child placed some were safe and loving. The violence she is enduring in her young life will have lasting effects in her world. Leaving her to think that to be "loved" she will have to go thru what she is now. I just hope and pray that either her Mom gets her act together or someone comes and carts her off and steps up and protects this little girl.
This mother, by going on national T.V. and admitting that she is overwhelmed to the point of abusing her child, is making a step in the right direction. It's the mother that can't admit she is out out of control and hides the fact that is a real danger to her children. This mother wants help and is willing to receive it. Good for her. She is to be commended for her honesty.
You are correct that violence from one's parent has a life-long lasting affect. It has for me.
My mother never admitted she was an abusive parent and denies to this day that she ever hit me with a belt, extension cord, hair brushes, etc., or was so destructively verbally abusive, and I wasn't mentally handicapped and a challenge like this woman's daughter is, although no excuse justifies taking out your frustrations on a child. I so hated my upbringing that I do not use corporal punishment with my child nor do I call him names. Part of being a parent and an adult is making choices. I have made a choice not to react in anger and strike another. I will admit that it is hard to do at times, but ultimately I am the one that is in control of my emotions. I think this mother is on the right track just by admitting she has a problem, and I wish her well in getting help.
(Original Air Date: 11/03/05) What if you were so obsessed with eating that it almost killed you, or craving food so badly that you yelled, kicked and screamed when you couldn't get enough. Nichelle's 6-year-old daughter has Prader-Willi Syndrome and constantly wants to eat. She once threw a fit so loud, the neighbors called the police. Can Nichelle learn to control her own temper when her daughter has a tantrum? Then, Dr. Phil follows up with Kathy, an anorexic whose condition was so severe, she weighed only 68 pounds. She spent three months in treatment, but her struggle is not over yet. Can her family learn the difference between supporting her and enabling her? Talk about the show here.
