I tried my best to be real good,
But I spilled milk on my good shirt,
Cause she hit me awful hard, you see,
When I said, "I love you, Mommy,"
So I came up here to talk to you,
And I don't think my Mommy means,
So Teddy, I wish you were real,
To please try hard to understand.
And if we could make them listen,
But for now, I guess I'll hold you tight,
Author - Cindy Pike Dunning - Emotional Abuse Definition
A pattern of behavior that attacks a child's emotional development and sense of self worth. i.e. name-calling, put-downs, terrorization, isolation, humiliation, rejection, corruption, ignoring
Verbal abuse is emotional battering which can be as painful as physical battering, and recovery can take much longer.
Verbal abuse usually happens in private. It leaves invisible scars. There are no bruises, broken bones or black eyes.
Often there are no outside witnesses, which makes it easy to deny.
Generally in a verbally abusive relationship, the abuser denies the abuse.
Verbal abuse is a crazymaking means of dominance and control.
Although some verbally abusive people never physically abuse, physical abuse is always preceded by verbal abuse.
Teddy, I've been bad again,
My Mommy told me so;
I'm not quite sure what I did wrong,
But I thought that you might know.
When I woke up this morning,
I knew that she was mad;
Cause she was crying awful hard,
And yelling at my dad.
And do just what she said;
I cleaned my room all by myself,
I even made my bed.
When she yelled at me to hurry;
And I guess she didn't hear me,
When I told her I was sorry.
And called me funny names;
And told me I was really bad,
And I should be ashamed!
I guess she didn't understand;
Cause she yelled at me to shut my mouth.
Or I'd get smacked again.
Please tell me what to do;
Cause I really love my Mommy,
And I know she loves me, too.
To hit me quite so hard;
I guess sometimes, grown ups forget.
How really big they are!
And you weren't just a bear;
Then you could help me find a way.
To tell Mommies every where.
How sad it makes us feel;
Cause the outside pain soon goes a way,
But the inside never heals!
Maybe then they'd understand;
So other children just like me,
Wouldn't have to hurt again.
And pretend the pain's not there;
I know you'd never hurt me,
So Goodnight, Teddy Bear!
Taken from Heartland Acres
Verbal abuse is like a rock thrown through your window.
