A Good Friend, but Might Deserve What He Gets...

It's hard to know how to answer this with so few details on the exact situation. How old is the child? You said the child presses buttons. I do know how difficult it can be with a child like that. I had one daughter that from a very young age knew just what buttons to push. I was a single mom of 4 and this girl sometimes just made me so so frustrated. When she got into her teens it was horrible. I never abused her but I do know the frustration in dealing with a child like this. Oh this is so hard to answer without knowing details. Sounds like a personality conflict and that councelling would be more beneficial than jail time. So much depends on the childs age but if he is old enough to understand then he will either feel more righteous with his role in all this or feel really horrible for it. Also, I don't see what jail time does in the way of helping this family. The father sitting in jail can't be earning money to help the family out. Was it a single incident or an ongoing problem? If it was ongoing then why did the mother not take measures to leave and protect the child?

What a sad situation. My son's dad had anger issues that I didn't even know about until our son hit puberty. Then I learned that the same thing had happened in his first family when his oldest son his puberty. Because I loved them both, I took my son to live 1100 miles away from his father. I didn't want either one of them hurting the other. You're a good friend to want to stand by him and see that he gets the help he needs.

I believe that we have to be there for our friends in time of need, but I would say that the best thing that you could do for your friend is to make him see that he has to accept responsibility for what he has done and that he must face the punishment and that he must ask for help.

I understand that he is your friend and I admire the way in which you are standing by him but I am a little concerned by your comment of "he's a great man and has done so much for our family when we were in need." Does this make the child abuse ok? Im sorry but I dont think it does. Obviously I do not know the details but if this man has abused a child then maybe he is not the great person you think he is.

Sounds like you friend needs to get counseling and so does the child! I know chidren can push a parents buttons but it doesn't mean a parent can't control themselves so they don't abuse the child! Anyway I hope you friend get help! I was never physically abused as a child but I was verbally abused by my father. I still am getting over that! I stlll have self-esteem and self-confidence problems thanks to that! One reason my father did this was becuase he was a farmer. He got stressed out and didn't take the blame when things went wrong! Instead I got it,so did my 2 brothers,my sister and my mom! My dad thinks he did a ggod job at raising us! Bull! He will never realize he didn't do a good job and there will be no apologizing! That is my story!

It is a sad situation, fot the child or children. I don't ever feel sorry for the abuser of children, they are bullies and get what they deserve, help and jail. How can a grownup raise their huge hands to hurt one of God's defenseless children; the word says not to harm them but love them. This act even anger God, if you are a believer. I think your friend should get help and probably should have a long time ago. You are really understanding and kind to not turn your back on him or the other members or the family. The child is luck because some children don't survive abusive parents' attacks. I hope this situation has a hopeful ending. God bless you for your kind and forgiving heart.

Yes it is truly heartbreaking for the family. However child and animal abusers are at the top of my list of absolutely despicable people. I hope he gets punished to the full extent of the law and while he is in jail can get some psychiatric help.

That is a horrible situation and your friend is lucky to have you in his corner. It can be very awkward to help the family as well as him. I read what you said about he and his son and I bet things like this happen more often than we know. Kids can be maddening but so can parents, especially when they both have problems. I hope your friend and his son both get help and can resolve their problems and have a good relationship. I hope the family heals and comes together again in some way.