Dear Abby: I stayed in an abusive 15-year relationship and my daughters’ lives were harmed
A woman says childhood emotional issues kept her in a 15-year abusive relationship, and her two daughters left home and fell into substance use while living with their fathers.
DEAR ABBY: I was in an abusive relationship for 15 years that affected my children badly. I have had emotional problems since I was a child, which caused me to stay in the relationship long past the point I should have left.
My two daughters left home at 16 and 13 to live with their fathers. Both of their fathers allowed the girls to smoke and consume alcohol and drugs. I was still trying to wrap my head around my abusive relationship, which I stayed in for about eight years on and off after my youngest left. It affected my emotional state, and the abuse worsened.