the baby’s father, (we’ll call him travis), has cheated on me and has been verbally and physically abusive to me, as was his father to him and his mom and sister. both travis and his father also abused drugs. (they both say all that’s in the past, but i wonder sometimes). not only did travis’ father cheat on his mom, but a child came out of one of his affairs.
my father wasn’t abusive, but he stayed out all night on many weekends, leaving my mom with us kids and had at least one affair that i am aware of. my father also abused drugs and alcohol.
i am so scared that my son will grow up to treat women this way and that he will turn to drugs. ever since i found out i was having a boy, i have been thinking of techniques and planning speaches that will hopefully lead my boy on the right path.
i had given travis one too many chances to redeem himself and had finally broke it off with travis 3 weeks before i found out i was having his baby.
i am so scared now that i have brought another life into this mess. with my issues with men after how i’ve been treated for the past 15 years, putting up with lying and cheating and abuse from several bad relationships, and not having a single ounce of trust in men, i don’t know how i am going to pass this along to my son in hopes that he won’t put any female through what me, my mom and travis’ mom has been through… not to mention us kids that witnessed a lot of it.
i know i might be rambling a bit, but does anyone have any suggestions of how to teach my son to treat women respectfully, and to make sure that he treats the ones he cares for extra special?
i have been worrying myself to death about this, even though i won’t know how he will turn out for two more decades. please, some wise words.
i greatly appreciate any and all input.