If you've experienced abuse as child or as a parent, you'll want to read Mary Romero's book, The Breakdown of an All-American Family. Today Mary, our expert author, child advocate, and life coach, shares the story of her dysfunctional family.
If you think child and parent abuse is infrequent, think again. Mary shares the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services statistics from 2008. "An estimated 905,000 children were victims of child abuse or neglect in 2006."
Mary shares her story with wisdom, understanding, and openness. Mary's father, a sociopath, beat, starved, and neglected his wife and five children. If you've ever been grabbed by the neck and lifted off the floor or punched in the stomach with manly force, you'll understand what Mary and her family experienced.
In Mary's family, members were sworn to secrecy about the happenings at home. To show they were a happy family, they were reminded to smile at Church on Sunday. No one knew this all-American Family was broken except for a lone neighborhood police officer who tried to help.
Mary's father gave her dog biscuits when she dared to say she was hungry. Her younger brother tried to commit suicide and her older sister was sent to a mental institution as a child because she challenged her father.
You'll see why 7-year-old Mary viewed herself as the family protector. Mary relates many incidents in which she protected her mother and siblings. You'll wonder why her mother wouldn't feed or shelter Mary when Mary needed her help.
Mary explains why two of her adult siblings side with her father. You'll know why she forgives her mother and has cut off all connections to her father.
With the help of her strong mind, a good therapist, and concern for others, Mary knows how to help victims of domestic crime and abuse. If you know of anyone who needs such help, give them Mary's book, The Breakdown of an All-American Family: An autobiography of child abuse, domestic violence and recovery.
Let's give a BIG HAND to Mary Romero for her well-written, fascinating and helpful autobiography.
Go to http://mmmcconnell.wix.com/live-life-coaching to purchase her book as well as, her coaching services.
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With warm wishes,
Jean Tracy, MSS
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Dear Azizi,
You are so right! When it come to protecting a child, we must report abuse.
Abuse has a huge effect on the inner life of a child and into adulthood.
Thank you for your wisdom, Azizi.
Warmly,
Jean Tracy, MSS
www.KidsDiscuss.com
Posted by: Jean Tracy, MSS | September 01, 2012 at 11:33 AM
Dear Mary,
Your book, Mary, gives us the inside view of how an abused child is treated and what he/she sees and feels.
You did a remarkable job and took the risk of sharing your story.
Thank you so much, Mary.
Warmly,
Jean Tracy, MSS
www.KidsDiscuss.com
Posted by: Jean Tracy, MSS | September 01, 2012 at 11:29 AM
Many people are not aware of domestic violence in the home until a critical incident occurs or is seen by someone else. Someone finally reports it. Everyone in the home is terrified to speak of it. It is the silent killer. If it goes on for too long it worsens. The other parent needs to act quickly to save the minor children and him or herself. The self esteem decreases and the behavior to hurt himself and others increases. That is why child abuse is the responsibility of EVERYONE to report it. NOT just the mental health professionals. Support groups are needed for battered women and intense therapy for women and children. Thank you for this book.
Posted by: Azizi | August 30, 2012 at 10:56 AM
A sincere thank you, Jean, for helping spread the word about domestic violence, child abuse, and all its consequences. You have managed to summarize my book better than I could have!
My hope is that my story will be far reaching and help others gain knowledge and effect change with this epidemic. Through your readership and subscribers, we can all help break these vicious cycles.
I wish you many blessings,
Mary Romero
Life Coach, Author & Consumer Advocate
Posted by: Mary Romero | August 29, 2012 at 10:10 AM