I wonder how many of you have deep seated resentment towards your parents. We were, after all, brought up in the spare the rod and spoil the child, generation, at least I was. Both my parents hit me. I wasn’t a naughty child but occasionally displeased them. My mother used to fly off the handle and smack me but it never seemed to hurt much. My father on the other hand first hit me when I was 3 years old. I was having a great time banging the front door knocker and I was told off a few times by my granddad but when my dad opened the door he hauled me in and smacked my legs all the way up the stairs. It stung!
Then after that If I answered back or argued in any way I received a resounding slap across the face, that sent me reeling. I once was slapped for biting my nails!! I never bit my nails again, but I never forgave or forgot either.
If I displeased my mother she would say “Wait until your father gets home” and then when he did he would stand over me. I was paralysed with fear and had no idea what I had done and didn’t know what to say. Then he would smack my legs all around the room. He once clouted me across the head for looking sulky. That was out of the blue because it was just my normal teenage expression, Once he told me if I did something again he would “thrash me to within an inch of my life”. When I grew up and started going out with boys he was a nightmare insisting on times to get in and standing over me in a threatening way demanding to know where I had been.
The last time he actually struck me, I was 17 and I turned my head and got the blow in my eye. I had a black eye. I shouted at him that he had assaulted me and I would call the police to which he replied “Shut up or I’ll black the other one”.
He has been dead many years now and coming to terms with the man who taught me to ride a bike, helped me with my homework, and gave me good advice and consolation on many occasions and also remembering the time he hit me, is very difficult. I was afraid of him. I wanted to love him but couldn’t.
Do other gransnetters have similar childhood memories?
Good Morning Good Friday 29th March 2024
Bought the wrong Hot Cross Buns 😩
COUNTRY, CITY, AREA, PLACE -Game 21
Is there anyone who still thinks that Israel's actions in Gaza are justifiable?