Surviving Childhood

United States
August 14, 2008 9:03pm CST
I am amazed at times that some of us actually survived our childhoods. For me, I grew up with an ambitious father who had tunnel vision to succeed and an inability to control his temper. Since he'd grown up being hit, he later turned his temper on me. In addition, I went to a school where the kids were mean and constantly picked on me. One of them even tried to run me down with his car. So, I was very happy when I left home at 16 for boarding school and a safer, more peaceful existence. My neighbor down the hall from me grew up going to a school where he was constantly bullied and beat up. And, I've known many others over the year who've lived through such terrible things. A couple of years ago, I made contact with a close friend of the woman the book and movie, Sybil, was based on. She went through a lot of horrible things in her life and the fact that she survived at all is amazing. Actually, her story helped me deal with a lot of the anger and feelings I had over my childhood. So, what about you, did you overcome a not so much fun childhood or was your childhood great?
3 people like this
6 responses
@BriNbai (912)
• United States
15 Aug 08
I am really sorry to hear about your awfull childhood.I really think that things hapen for a reason and everything and everyone is part of Gods plan.Things in your past are what makes you a better person today and what gives you the strenght to live a better life.I thank God that I have two loving wonderfull parents who have been so amazing to me.Both of their stories are similar to yours and they have told me that this is why they try so hard to be good parents.So you survived your childhood for a reason..just like my parents did :]
• United States
16 Aug 08
God does not plan evil but he gives all of us free will and the people in our lives and we ourselves sometimes make decisions that are poor decisions and turn into evil. I believe that God uses what has been meant for evil and turn it for good. I'm glad you had a great childhood and great parents. My parents and I get along fine now but it's taken a lot of years and a lot of God's grace, mercy and patience and lovingkindness to get us here.
@snowy22315 (168464)
• United States
15 Aug 08
I had a good childhood. It was quite happy. The years after childhood have not been so great though. I kind of wish that I wa living in the same community but I decided to come to a different state which in retrospect I think was kind of a mistake.
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Aug 08
Maybe you should go back. Of course, that won't insure that you have a perfect existence either but maybe you would be happier.
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
15 Aug 08
i guess mine was the reverse ..i experienced a happy childhood..which im love by my parents..and lots of fun playing with my childhood friends..its great actually..but it was shortlived..after i graduated from highschool my mom was so strict on me..not even a chance to go out with friends..it puzzled me actually..
• United States
16 Aug 08
If you are out of high school then you are pretty much grown so I'm not sure how your mother can be too strict. I'm not sure how old you are now but if you are over 18, I think it's good to show your mother respect but you do have choices to make. I think I'd have to know more to know what else to say.
• United States
17 Aug 08
when i was growing up i had a very abuse mom in more ways then one. she would hit me. if me and my sister fought she would bang our heads toghter. she left us at home alone for days. that started when i was like 8 years old and my sister was 4 years old. she yelled all teh time. she would tell me how dumb, fat, ugly i was plus more. she even tried to lock us in a car while a train was coming so that the train would hit us. she was really bad and she doesnt remeber any of it she thinks she was a great mom and we were horriable kids. she thinks she was mom of the world. it is really strange. she would leave us with who ever would take us then come back and get us after a few weeks. it is a wonder i am alive really. my grandpa took me from her when i was 10 but he passed away when i was 13 so i had to go back with her. the best times of my life were when i was with him as far as a child went. i left home at 15 for good. at 13 i started just staying away for as long as possiable. i was homeless, scared, hungry, and young but i made it. i never gave up. child services and cops were called when i was young but my mom had enough friends high up and well she was consdiered high society that it didnt matter. no one believed me. they do now.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
15 Aug 08
I had a horrible childhood. Too many things to speak of on here so I'll be brief. I'm legally deaf but was raised in the hearing world which made me a a perfect target for teachers and students alike. I was raped at the age of 13 by three neighborhood guys and then blamed for it. I was also 16 when I moved out and on my own. A lot of the time I slept in my car but it was much better than being at home. Those are just a few things I've had to endure but I'm alive and very happy now and that's all that matters.
• United States
16 Aug 08
I'm so sorry you had to endure so much but I'm so glad you are doing well now!
@magojordan (3252)
• Philippines
15 Aug 08
As for me since I was the middle child I would say that in my childhood it was full of pressure but nonetheless because of that I was able to succeed somehow in my life now. As they say only true gold is forged in flames. So I would say that my childhood wasn't really happy and I'm still searching for some things that would make me feel like a child again . However I'm happy with my life now though.
• United States
16 Aug 08
I'm glad you are making an effort to make something positive out of your life.