My dad used to physically abuse my mom, but he stopped. Now he just puts her down and yells at her.

They won’t divorce because of me and my brother.

I feel horrible!

The first thing for you to know is that in the same way this is not your fault, it’s also not your job to fix it. What you can do is try to get help—for yourself and the rest of your family. Whether abuse is physical, emotional or verbal, it takes a toll on the entire family, and no one should have to live this way.

Talk through your feelings with a school counselor or therapist, then ask Mom to join you for a session. A professional will help you put your emotions into words so you can tell your mom how you’re affected. Hopefully, your mother will gain an understanding of how unhealthy the situation is for everyone.

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1/14/2010 7:00:00 AM