Children who experience abusive situations may have to process difficult emotions, often without help. Planning for your children’s physical and emotional health is essential for their wellbeing, no matter how old they are. Always remember that above all else, it is important to remind your children that you’re there for them.
Remind your child that their first responsibility is their own safety
Children often feel they want to protect you and/or their siblings. Even if your child wants to protect you, teach them that you want everyone to be safe and that the plans you’re making are to ensure everyone’s safety.
Your partner may try to use your children to harm or control you
Abusers may threaten, harass, or manipulate you or your children depending on the situation. Examples include:
- Preventing you from seeing your children
- Calling or threatening to call police or immigration enforcement to gain custody of your children
- Humiliating you in front of them
- Using your children to monitor your behavior
- Lying to your children to turn them against you
Never blame your children for their responses to your partner’s abusive behavior
Make sure they know the violence isn’t their fault and that abuse is never okay, even when it comes from someone they love.
It’s important that your children have access to people other than yourself who they can feel comfortable talking to
Help your child identify people in their life that they trust and make sure they can contact them when needed.
Source: National Domestic Violence Hotline