Hi there,

No matter what your parents are feeling or what’s happened in their past, you deserve to feel safe and cared for at home. It’s never okay for your mum to hit you.

Being hit is a form of physical abuse. Lots of young people will question whether the abuse they’ve experienced is their fault. It’s not. It’s never your fault and there is nothing which makes being hit okay.

It’s important to remember that it’s not your responsibility to change how someone else is behaving. When someone is hurting you or constantly putting you down, then it’s time to get support. Getting support doesn’t mean you’re trying to get your parents in trouble, and it doesn’t make them bad people. Getting support is all about making sure you’re safe and cared for.

There are lots of ways you can get help with what’s happening at home. The best way to get support can be by talking to an adult you trust and feel safe with. Talking to someone at school like a teacher can help you feel better about what’s happened, and they can help you to feel safer.

We’ve got lots of advice to help you speak to someone you trust. If you’re worried about who you can talk to, remember that Childline is always here to support you.

It can feel difficult when abuse is part of an already difficult relationship. It’s okay to want to think about how you could behave differently, but remember that you’re not responsible for how your parents respond.

Take care,

Sam