Parents Whose children have been sexually abused Community Group

This group is for parents whose children have been sexually abused. We welcome both Mothers and Fathers. Here, we can offer support to one another. We can vent, cry and lift each other up. No condemning or criticizing allowed. We are here for support. We LOVE (((HUGS))) !

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/ Parents Whose children have been sexually abused Support Group

Nightmares

Brokenmother
Brokenmother

My daughter gets into bed with me crying at least 3 times a week. When I ask her what's wrong she says she doesn't know. She told the psychiatrist that she has flash backs of the abuse but she never really talks to me about them. She never wants to sleep in my bed she just comes in for a hug and then goes back to bed. I don't know what to say to her I just hold her and tell her she's safe now. We don't ever really talk about the abuse and she doesn't want to talk to a counselor. I feel so helpless. It's like we're both always thinking about it but can never find the words to say. I don't even know what to say to the counselor anymore. I don't know how to help my own child. It's the worst feeling in the world.

hopefulmama
hopefulmama
Sounds like PTSD,my daughter cried and didn't know why.The flash backs can be intense,what does the psychiatrist say about them?
crybaby
crybaby
Brokenmother, I don't know how to help my daughter either, but I think we just gotta carry on loving and nurturing, and bit by bit it will ease. As you know, my daughter won't sleep AT ALL at night.....she is now entirely nocturnal, we are off to see the paediactric psychiatrist today.....I will of course pass on any relevant info. xxxxxxxxx
heartsadx3
heartsadx3
I read a book by Levine called Trauma Through a Child's Eyes. There are some great exercises that you can do with a child of any age really to help calm them. Worth reading. One thing I have used a lot for calming down is really effective in many instances.

There is no taking away what happened there is just providing support and tools to cope with what happened. Please don't feel your comfort and words are not enough because it is and the fact she can go back to bed says it's working.

A therapist told me that I should affirm to my daughter when she was upset that she was safe and momma won't hurt her body, this last part I never would have thought to say but I did cause that is what the therapist recommended (my daughter was 3) and saying those words my daughter would relax and let me hold her. I said it every chance I got anytime I sensed she was uncomfortable or was having flash backs or ptsd symptoms. It does feel helpless but if she is getting therapy then it's just a process and trust that process to eventually over time improve the situation.