Given up.

[Unregistered]

This has been an occuring problem. My mom always yells at me and tells me Im spoiled and that I never help her out. We are in the current process of moving into a new house and renovation so I take care of the kids since I am a girl (16) and the oldest. I take care of my 4 month old baby sister and my five and seven year old brother. I use to do it alone everyday from early morning to afternoon almost 6 ish by myself and it was a lot because I obviously dont know how to take care of a baby an I would do it by myself for two weeks until this week I went over to my aunts so she would help me and its been great but my mom also is forcing me to work with my step dads sister and I basically clean her entire house. I hate it. I literally do her laundry and dishes and fold and hang her clothes and I literally clean the entire house. I hate that job but my mom is forcing me to work with her and its a lot. I feel like her maid. So after I either take care of the kids I go out with my boyfriend whom I am in a serious relationship with and he always picks me up and pays for me and today my mom yelled at me how Im a spoiled brat and how she does so much for me and she threatens to hit me when I cry and threatens to beat me and to take away my phone and boyfriend. My mom says pretty harsh things such as she wishes she had an abortion with me when she was pregnant with me at sixteen and she swears I never help her and she is very hurtful and I've contemplated suicide many times and runaway but I dont know what to do, I even started hurting myself and Im giving up. Help. Im physically and emotionally drained and Im depressed and anxious from what I've read about my synptoms. I try to avoid them but it makes things worse and I cant talk to them about it because it make things worse too. Im about to pack up and leave.

[ccsmod13]

RE: Given up.

Hello,

We are very glad you contacted us. It sounds like you have been enduring a lot of responsibility as a young lady in regard to being expected to care for your siblings and extensive cleaning duties and, furthermore, it sounds like you are not appreciated and are being verbally, emotionally, and perhaps physically abused. First, it is important for you to know that nobody deserves to be treated in such hurtful and disrespectful ways and you are no exception. Also, it seems like you have tried to communicate your thoughts and feelings with your mom before, only to be yelled at and insulted in return. In situations like these, it can be very important that we feel supported and it seems as though your boyfriend has been a source of support for you. In addition, have you explored the idea of talking with a school counselor or local therapist? That can be an excellent source of support and a platform to express and make sense of your feelings.

You mentioned that you have struggled with suicidal thoughts and have carried out some self-harming behaviors. I am so sorry you have been feeling so stressed and trapped that you turned to hurting yourself. That is a difficult thing to experience and nobody should have to go through it without any help or support. There is a great resource called the National Suicide Hotline, which is a 24/7 hotline you can call in order to talk with a person/counselor that can help you if you’d like someone to talk to about issues related to suicide and self-harm, especially when you are feeling particularly down and as though you might hurt yourself.
Another resource we want to share with you is the Child Abuse Reporting line for your state. If you feel unsafe in your home because of actual, or the threat of, physical abuse you can dial their number and file a report. Or you can simply call 9-1-1 if you are feeling unsafe and need to reach out for help.

Your safety and well-being is our number one priority and we want you to feel supported and provide you with all the resources we can. In the future, you can call us 24/7 at 1-800-RUNAWAY or chat with us at www.1800runaway.org during the hours of 4:30pm-11:30pm. Again, nobody deserves to be treated the way it sounds like you have been treated. Please, do not hesitate to call or chat with us in the future.

Good luck,
NRS