Messages By: bethtra

I would have to say I agree with you, because there's no way a real therapist could be so DUMB!!!!  

What really frightens me is that these kids will go home and their parents will use everything they said against them and then justify their next beating with it. I grew up in the same situation. As I watched that mother out of control I felt like I had just stepped back in time. My mother was nuts and used to brutilize us. I remember people actually thought she was this wonderful nice person because she had a totally different voice and manuerism for people who weren't her children. Yes, she could turn it off and on like a faucet. There were 4 of us and I was the oldest girl. Usually my brother and I bore most of the brunt. We were physically, mentally and emotionally abused. I remember my mom rubbing feces in my brothers face when he was 5. And one time she made me sleep in my sisters vomit all night when I was 11. She scared me so bad when I was a kid. I don't think anyone ever understands how this feels unless they have lived through it. I still suffer alot of post traumatic stress over this stuff. I have huge trust issues with people. As I watched that tape today I cried and I shook. It really freaked me out. I have had lots and lots of counseling, but even with that watching that stuff can still elicit a huge fear response from me. I guess the thing I could never figure out was why? Why would you hurt an inocent child? The other thing, the dad has his head up his denial rump, my dad was the same way, why, because he was a weak man just like that guy on the show. Too, lazy to step up to the plate and wear the daddy pants. 

I have found that people won't change til they're ready too. In my case it was when I woke up one day and couldn't take the pain anymore. It's hard to persuade people to change when they are so bent on destructive behavior. Unfortunatly there are children involved and I guess that I believe our first responsibility is always to protect the children, After all if we don't who will? I wish I had a great solution for you on this one but, I don't or I would have helped many many people. I guess that is why I am not God, I still believe that prayer is a good answer if there is nothing in our human power we can do. As people we can protect our children by keeping them away from those creeps. I guess if it were me and we had family functions with a child molester and I had kids I would tell the rest of the family- that kids safety and well being is first, so if they need to invite Chester the molester to the party I would not go. ( I have taken that stand when verbally abusive relatives have shown up at family functions- I have refused to go). Yeah, I get flack from the relatives who like to guilt and shame you, luckily I have had enough therapy to know what that's all about and I stick to my guns. So good luck to you, maybe you could talk to a professional therapist, or a pastor to help guide you in this situation. In my case I have learned the only person I can change is me. However, sometimes that has changed situations for the better . Take care, and God bless you and your family, my prayers are with you and them- a friend