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Tickling...or abuse?

I was reading a paper the other day about signs of abuse. One of them is excessive tickling. 


Is it true that this can be a sign of abuse? My dad tickles me a lot and I have always thought he was just kidding. Now I’m starting to think differently. What do you think?


Hey hon, I'm sure you’ve heard the saying it’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt. In its most innocent form, tickling is a fun gesture and, most of the time, people laugh because of it. But it stops being fun when it’s uncomfortable, inappropriate or painful.


Harmless or hurtful?
 
More than likely, your dad has been tickling you since you were a baby. Before you freak, think about your relationship with your father. If you two get along fine and you trust him, you probably have nothing to worry about. But if it’s really bothering you, you should try talking to your pops. You could say, “I know you’re not trying to hurt me, but it really makes me uncomfortable when you tickle me so much. Maybe we could do something else together to have fun instead.”

Get help! 

If your dad is tickling you in inappropriate places or for really long periods of time, then you SHOULD be concerned. If your dad’s touching makes feel awkward or he tickles you until you’re breathless, firmly tell him to stop.


 If he continues to do it even after you've asked him not to, pipe up. Talk to an adult or relative you trust, such as your mom or an aunt. Or if you don’t feel comfortable talking to a family member, try talking to a teacher or your school counselor. Remember, you don’t need to apologize for the way you feel or get embarrassed either. When tickling becomes trespassing, it's not fun at all.


Head to our Tough Stuff hub for even more info on abuse.
Lots of love,
L’Oreal

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POSTED IN

2/2/2010 7:00:00 AM
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