What is it like for children growing up in a violent home?
These children are in danger and their homes are in chaos. They live in daily fear and tension, which can cause them to be afraid of everything–and trust no one. The children often blame themselves for the violence, but they are powerless to prevent, stop or escape it. Some children will develop a love-hate relationship with parent(s.) Though they feel protective of an abused parent, they may also resent that parent for not stopping the abuse. They are often isolated and feel hopeless. Warning signs of a child living in a violent home include: For all ages… • behaving overly responsible (as if the child is the “little adult in the family”) • depression and low-self-esteem • difficulty expressing emotions other than anger • use of violence to solve conflicts For preschool children… • frequent crying • stuttering • frequent hitting, biting or kicking • regression (a return to bed-wetting or thumb sucking) For school-age children… • trouble concentrating at school • fighting, bullyi
