Why Didn't They Just Leave the Girls With Their Aunt?

Abusive people like control. The stepmother had control when they girls were with her. Plus many abusive parents put up an image usually normal or some even as super parents. They like to look that they are great parents.

For example my mom would act totally different in public with others or even when friends spent the night. But when the doors were closed she’d verbally and emotionally abuse me. I was often told I had such a sweet mom. I’d think “If you only knew.” I once as an adult tried to tell my grandmother she was more of a real mom than my own mom. But when I described some abuse the shock in her eyes broke my heart. I didn’t want to damage the image she had of my mom even though it was fake.

I’ve been in support groups for abused kids and this is a common theme. People see a wonderful hard working lawyer mother yet behind closed doors she beats the #%#% out of her kids. I recently found out a close friend was physically abused and I’ve known her mom for a few years. My kids have sat next to her in church. She beat my friend so bad it broke her arm.

It still puzzles me though I mean if you hate your kid so much to do that to them just give them up. But these monsters fear it will make them look bad. Makes no sense at all.