Carnival Edition August: Mother Issues

Welcome to the August 5, 2009 edition of recovery from childhood sexual abuse. This edition explores MOTHER ISSUES as they emerge in the context of sexual abuse. There has been an exciting variety of blog posts submitted. As always, thank you to those who have taken the time to submit a post.

KathyBroady LCSW presents Mothers and Mother’s Day for Trauma Survivors « Discussing Dissociation posted at Discussing Dissociation, saying, for dissociative trauma survivors, Mother’s Day is often a painful time. For survivors with dissociative identity disorder, mother issues are usually complex and difficult to sort out. Momma-trauma comes in a variety of forms. For some survivors, their mothers were simply not there to protect them from the violent abuse of the father or other sadistic family members. These mothers were away at work, or away at the hospital, or too ill to tend properly to their children, or divorced from the fathers and living in separate homes, etc. Many of these mothers love their kids dearly, but still were unable to protect their children from trauma and abuse.


KathyBroady LCSW presents Protective Mothers that Fight for their Children « Discussing Dissociation posted at Discussing Dissociation, saying, This blog article is a tribute to the mothers out there in the world that have spent huge chunks of their lives fighting for the safety / healing of their children. These women are incredible spirits and are an inspiration to us all. I know mothers who have absolutely gone the distance for their children. These women don’t get thanked often, but I do want to let them know that they are appreciated, recognized and deeply valued.


Trish Kinney presents The Dream posted at Trish Kinney, saying, "My blog is a companion to my book, Silver Platter Girl, a memoir about being raised in a sexually abusive environment and eventually "getting sick to get well". It explores the adult ramifications of childhood sexual abuse, the benefits of knowing and telling your own story, and the profound connection between abuse/trauma and physical illness. I am starting a national PR campaign in mid-July with my book and intend to open a dialogue about truth and healing and the physical effects of abuse and trauma. Dr Bernie Siegel (Love, Medicine and Miracles) was my mentor and taught me to love myself through my highly symbolic abuse induced cancer experience. We have the ability to heal within ourselves. My book tells how I did it. While each of our stories is unique, we all share a common bond. So sharing is what I have done in my book and I left nothing out. Let's all stand up for ourselves individually and collectively. Trish Kinney"


Kellen Von Houser presents Self Care posted at Kellevision, saying, "Self Care ideas for survivors of abuse or trauma." Although the topic this months has been 'mothers' I really liked Kellen's blogpost about self-care. It's simple, it's to the point, and very worthwhile reading. :)

Utah Mother Breaks Silence About Her Son's Sexual Abuse By Female Teacher posted at Priest Abuse and Clergy Sexual Abuse Information, saying, "After years of silence, a Utah mother said its time to talk about the pain her entire family still endures after her 16-year-old son was sexually abused by a high school teacher in the Salt Lake Valley. The crime happened almost four years ago and her son is now 20-years-old, but she said he still suffers. He is not the same son. I feel like IThT grieve my son every day ".

The Sexual Abuse of a Liar posted at New Jersey Moms Blog saying, "It will never happen to my child! That is one of those lines that I hate hearing from a mother- a line that is filled with ignorance, denial and just plain stupidity. Sexual abuse can happen to any child anywhere, anytime by anyone. How do I know?  I am one of those children, not only was I abused but when I confronted my family as an adult about it - I was called a liar".

Everyday Heroes: Mom Stands up for Disabled Daughter posted at Powerupmama saying, "The good news is that there are special parents like the one in this story who hear the most horrendous stories from their children and find within themselves the courage to believe and support them. Look at the web of lies this criminal spun around this child. How he won the trust of her family and tried to use her cognitive difficulties against her. And look how this family worked together to stop the abuse and restore a sense of self-respect and trust to this girl.V. and family, we salute you. May you continue to see the fruits of your courage in the face of deception".

Male Sexual Abuse Victims of Female Perpetrators posted at Silly Thoughts saying, "The reality that boys are sexually abused by women is not widely accepted. Some people view it as an impossible act - that a male can’t be sexually assaulted by a female - and others view it as sexually titillating. The existence of female perpetrators and male victims confronts many of our most firmly held beliefs about women, men, sexuality, power, and sexual assault. It challenges our very notions about what sex is".

Moms Need Support: Child Sexual Abuse Hits Home posted at Abuse-Recovery.Suite101 saying, "More often than not, mothers of children who have disclosed sexual abuse have family members and friends ask: “How could you have not seen changes in your child?” These words act as a weapon and crush an already fragile emotional state".

What to do if your child tells you they have been sexually abused posted at Imaginif saying, "Child sexual assault is against the law. Don’t keep it to yourself. First, believe your child and then TELL someone in a position to help you. Telling about child sexual abuse helps to end the prevalence figure of one in three. Child sexual abuse WILL CONTINUE if we don’t all take responsibility and tell someone when it has occurred. Tell the school principal, your local doctor, the police, a friend, the local Welfare agency".

Can I trade My Mother? posted at Inside Voices saying, "I’m having a difficult moment.  The day has been really rough. This is really the most present day I’ve had since last Tuesday and right now I’m trying to just find that little hiding niche right now because I’m just so exhausted from today.  The last few minutes have been really difficult due to mom issues".

The Ties That Bind posted at Secret Shadows saying, "All of us have parents. If we are lucky we are born to parents who love us and cherish us. If we’re lucky, we grow up being supported and challenged, cuddled and nudged, cared for and loved. If we’re lucky, we experience unconditional acceptance, and though we will inevitably disappoint and push our parents, we are still special and loved in their eyes.

A Systematic Breaking Of The Spirit posted at Survivors Can Thrive saying, "I'm going through the "Realization Stage"--Yeah, I get it. This happened to me. And it really felt that bad.--on several counts. One is that it was very systematic, my parents' way of breaking my spirit. And, although I was not abused by members of a cult, my parents did utilize some brain washing, mind control-type techniques".
  

That concludes this edition. I hope you found something worthwhile reading in the above contributions. Maybe you feel encouraged to start your own blog and become part of the growing number of people who suffered sexual abuse and are no longer willing to keep the shroud of silence over the shameful acts of their abuser(s).

The next edition - deadline is the 5th of September - is dedicated to the topic of ANGER.
Submit your blog article to the next edition of recovery from childhood sexual abuse
using our carnival submission form.