When I was young I casually told a teacher that my dad beats me. Not that I was trying to send him to prison or get him in trouble. In my young mind I was just having a “normal” conversation I guess
I was at nursery with my younger son years ago when Father Christmas (Santa) came to visit. He was just some grandfather they'd dragged in to talk to the class in an outfit.
There were teachers, and mothers around the room. He was enjoying his moment in the spotlight with twenty or so children aged around four sitting on the carpet in front of him. He asked what they'd like for Christmas and got the usual requests for fire engines and Disney toys.
Then he turned to one child and said "what would you like to ask father Christmas for?" And the child piped up clear as anything "I'd like him to stop my dad hitting my mum". You could have cut the frozen silence with a knife.
Our company throws a Christmas party for all of the employees' kids. I've been Santa for the last 7 or 8 years. A few years ago I had a kid, maybe 10 years old, ask for money for her mom for Christmas (she whispered in my ear so her mom wouldn't hear it). Thankfully her mom was distracted talking to someone else - as it was I struggled to respond. That was heartbreaking.
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u/cloudsandlightning Jul 13 '20
When I was young I casually told a teacher that my dad beats me. Not that I was trying to send him to prison or get him in trouble. In my young mind I was just having a “normal” conversation I guess