This article is dedicated to all those parents who had to hear those painful words of child, “Will you promise to love me even if I tell you something?”. There are millions of parents who have to pick up the pieces of their lives after their children are abused. This abuse can be in the form of sexual abuse, neglect, physical abuse, and even emotional abuse. This time is very confusing, painful, and filled with moments of, “is this really happening in my family?”.

Abuse of a child has many different dimensions. It has the aspect of your child’s abuse, it has the family dynamic, and then it has the parents mental state. Parents of children who have been abused, are now confronted with the notion that their family is forever broken. Parents of children who have been abused, are now full of all these feelings: anger, helplessness, rage, doubt, misunderstanding, contempt, and guilt. And all these feelings leave many parents feeling in a numb and confused state. Then comes all the questions, “what do I do for my child?”, “how do I help them?”, “how could someone do something like this to a child?”, “I want justice.”, “I have to protect them from everything.”, and “will they ever be ok?”.

So let’s break this situation down:
* Your child has been abused.
* You have no idea how to help them.
* Your mind is not thinking clearly.
* You know this is not right.
* How do I help my child?

Have you been in this situation, or are you going through this situation? If you have or are living this situation, learning to stay in the moment, and being present for you child will be critical. Children regulate off the adults around them. The child may have revealed the abuse to you or someone they trust, but now the adults in their world become their net. However, many parents or caregivers are so distraught at this point in time, that they are unable to be supportive of the child. The adults are now dealing with something they know nothing about, or it could be a trigger to an abusive past of their own. In either instance, this feeling of “not knowing” becomes crippling. It is at this point in time, the parents or caregivers need help dealing with this issue at hand. Don’t waste time thinking this feeling or event will pass. You are going to be needed for your child to heal. So take the steps needed, so your ability to be present for the child in their healing process can occur.

Email or call Safe Place Healing at (970) 541-0890 to set up an appointment so that the healing process, for you and your child, can begin.