Thank you for sharing your story lauralemons. I have great gratitude for people who speak out about this ever-present problem of child abuse. For our most vulnerable humans, who cannot immediately seek autonomy at such a young age, to be neglected and abused, especially physically, by those who created such life, is beyond infuriating. Especially when these mothers bring into the family life, abusive, toxic boyfriends who add to the abuse. It is Stomach-churning especially for mothers who know of this abuse, to protect these abusive boyfriends. My hope is that people such as yourself and those in a similar positions, can bring themselves to escape the chains that keep them bonded to such ghastly, abusive mothers, and like the history of the United States, declare yourself Independent. It is a tough endeavor and commitment, but it must be done for your well-being, as the founding fathers saw for their country. Please help yourself, by declaring independence.