DEAR ABBY: Although he has never hit me, my husband has been emotionally and verbally abusive since our wedding five years ago. I know this is my fault because I have tolerated it.
My 2 1/2-year-old daughter calls me a bad name. She doesn’t understand she’s saying something bad if Daddy calls me that.
I have suggested marriage counseling in the past, but he refused. I can’t leave him because I am seven months pregnant with our second child. How do I get both of them to respect me? – DISRESPECTED IN THE EAST
DEAR DISRESPECTED: You know that appointment you wanted to make with a licensed marriage and family therapist? Make one for yourself, right now. Your husband demeans you because you have allowed it. Your 2-year-old isn’t being disrespectful when she calls you what her father does. Children her age want attention, and they are mimics. Giving them attention when they use bad language reinforces them to do it more.
From your description of your relationship with your husband, his verbal abuse and the disrespect it conveys will be an example for your children that will follow them.