Comment on So you grew up with a dad who didn’t know how to express love? Here’s how it could be affecting you today by Anthony Wortham.
Sarah,
Thank you for your insight. My situation is really different. I became a dad when I was 19 years old. I also came from an abusive home, both physically and emotionally. At the time of my daughter’s conception, my own father beat me and told me i would never be a father. I remember being forced into denying parental responsibility and the beatings would continue until I denied my child.
That being said, I made a conscious decision to protect her from my own parents. My mother wanted to take custody from my daughter’s mother, because i was having sex with her when I was 17 years old.
Now, I since reached out to my daughter, specifically when she became a senior in high school. Things started off great and exciting for the two of us. The bond was instant. The only thing that bothered me was my internal memories of those beatings from years earlier. I shared this with my daughter and she felt compassion.
I fell into addiction, alcohoism, sex, etc. I am working a program of strong recovery. My daugther is getting married in November this year, I’ve re-established contact with her through Facebook, and I really want to give her away at her wedding. I am scared to death to even consider asking her if this is what she would like me to do. Can you give me some help?
Thank you.
