Free Republic

While you might think it'd be easy to spot the signs it's time to break up with someone, it isn't always crystal clear. And this is especially true in emotionally abusive situations. If your partner is trying to control or manipulate you, it can create an atmosphere where even the biggest deal-breakers in a relationship suddenly seem normal. But if you keep an eye out for red flags — including the types of things toxic partners say that often point to underlying character flaws — you can start deciding if the relationship is truly working for you. The moment one...

Does your wife yell, scream, and swear at you? Do you feel like you can’t talk to anyone about your relationship because they just wouldn’t understand? Is your relationship making you feel like you’re slowly going crazy? If so, you’re probably involved with a woman who is an emotionally abusive bully. Most men don’t want to admit that they’re in an abusive relationship. They describe the relationship and their wife using other terms like crazy, emotional, controlling, bossy, domineering, constant conflict, or volatile. If you use words like this to describe your relationship, odds are you’re being emotionally abused. Do...

There's an issue lately that I'd like to spread some awareness about. While we're all aware of the travesty of battering, I'd like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that abuse isn't only physical. Emotional and verbal abuse is equally abhorrent.

I have a stepdaughter who is 11 years old now. When I met her she was 7. There was a custody battle going on when I got married, but there was something special in Stephanie (fictitious name for a true story). Each time my husband wanted to see his daughter, he had to go to court. Several times the judges told the mother that she might have to change and be a facilitator in the relationship between Stephanie and her father (my husband), but never happened. She was even found in contempt twice. The last time that we spent together...