I just watched a segment on the news about teen dating and violence in Wisconsin. Unfortunately, the state has just received the grade of "F" in a national study of how states handle teen dating and violence. The reporter talked about Wisconsin's plans for improving their grade (like allowing people under the age of 18 to take out a restraining order or talking with a dating crisis hotline possible without parent consent), but the main focus of this segment was on a girl who suffered from an abusive relationship. Her story was so moving to me because it was
my story!
My first relationship, when I was 14, lasted a year and a half and I probably spent a year of that feeling absolutely miserable while his emotional and verbal abuse took its toll me and my family. Everything said in the news segment tonight was so true and I hope viewers took it to heart. When a teen is in an abusive/unhealthy relationship, it doesn't start out that way.....it slowly falls into that devastating path and teens with no relationship experience assume that is normal. I know I didn't know any better and just assumed that all the degrading, manipulating and controlling things this guy said to me were just what went on in a relationship. I am so grateful to my parents for being there for me through that tough time. Even when I wouldn't accept when they told me things were bad, even when I was so upset that I couldn't even keep food down, even when I wanted nothing more than to curl into a ball and disappear, and even when I was laying in bed at night wondering if things would be better if I just didn't wake up in the morning.........my parents were there! Their love and support never wavered.
My only hope is that the people watching the news tonight take that segment seriously, talk with their kids about healthy relationships, and stand by their children if they are struggling with a boyfriend or girlfriend. I am so proud of myself for staying strong in that situation and finding the courage to get myself out of the relationship and I couldn't have done that without my parents. I hope all parents can do the same for their children, I know Dan and I will!
my story!
My first relationship, when I was 14, lasted a year and a half and I probably spent a year of that feeling absolutely miserable while his emotional and verbal abuse took its toll me and my family. Everything said in the news segment tonight was so true and I hope viewers took it to heart. When a teen is in an abusive/unhealthy relationship, it doesn't start out that way.....it slowly falls into that devastating path and teens with no relationship experience assume that is normal. I know I didn't know any better and just assumed that all the degrading, manipulating and controlling things this guy said to me were just what went on in a relationship. I am so grateful to my parents for being there for me through that tough time. Even when I wouldn't accept when they told me things were bad, even when I was so upset that I couldn't even keep food down, even when I wanted nothing more than to curl into a ball and disappear, and even when I was laying in bed at night wondering if things would be better if I just didn't wake up in the morning.........my parents were there! Their love and support never wavered.
My only hope is that the people watching the news tonight take that segment seriously, talk with their kids about healthy relationships, and stand by their children if they are struggling with a boyfriend or girlfriend. I am so proud of myself for staying strong in that situation and finding the courage to get myself out of the relationship and I couldn't have done that without my parents. I hope all parents can do the same for their children, I know Dan and I will!
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