Emotional Child Abuse
Emotional child abuse is very common, yet it is so hard to prove. Must parents don’t realize the effects emotional child abuse can have on their children. Many adults who engage in such behaviors were treated the same way as a child. They never learned good parenting skills, and therefore are portraying the learned behaviors from their childhood.
When you hear the term emotional child abuse, most of us think of name calling. That is a large part of it, but there is so much more. Some parents withhold their love and affection towards a child. This is a severe form of emotional abuse. It gives the message that if they aren’t perfect they won’t be loved.
Emotional child abuse seriously affects the relationship between the child and the parent. It is very difficult for them to have a close relationship because the child learns not to trust their parent. While they may love them, they have no respect for them. Children can even feel afraid of their parents in this type of situation. Children of emotional abuse often hide their other problems from their parent out of fear of being treated badly because of those events.
Love and Logic is a great tool for parents struggling with finding the right ways to say things to their children. It is simply a great way to no change what you are saying, but change the way you are saying it. Parenting skills classes and counseling can also help with changing the patterns of emotional child abuse.
Children who are abused emotionally usually have low self esteem. They try to please everyone, and often their needs suffer because of it. A very effective tactic is to take record someone who is emotionally abusing their child, then calmly tell them you have something for them to see or hear after they have calmed down. Chances are they don’t even realize what is going on. Then offer them assistance with getting the right help. If they become aggressive when you approach, leave them alone. Give the tape to law enforcement or social services. Emotional child abuse isn’t an area where you want to mind your own business and pretend it isn’t happening.
