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I'm actually thankful for the experience. It showed me early on what I DIDN'T want in a man.

I can relate to that.

I also know the verbal abuse can be just as bad. It's often a precursor to physical abuse, as well. (I learned later on, from a friend of the family, that my boyfriend's dad had been verbally and physically abusive to him when he was growing up. I wonder what kind of relationship your ex had with his parents.)

I'm glad things worked out for you. Hopefully your ex-boyfriend will get a counselor one of these days and get a grip on his problem.

In truth, his parents were very loving and gentle people who couldn't understand how he turned out that way. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems he had the opposite problem (too much patient love, not enough discipline). Like a spoiled brat, they let him throw temper tantrums well into adulthood.

Sorry to say, I've seen the opposite, too. Brutal parents that raise brutal kids.

I lose sleep at night sometimes wondering if I'm giving my own kiddos the right mix of love and discipline. My Mom assures me that if I'm worried about raising them right, I'm probably raising them right.

Thanks for the exchange, DOAIJV. I hope the future holds only bright things for you.