need advice - Parenting Issues Message Board

lane71501 · 10-17-2003, 12:23 PM

a few weeks ago, my 2 1/2 year old spent the night at his aunt (my husband's sister) and uncle's house. a few days after he came home, he had developed this inordinate fear of belts being held by a man. we have gone over and over this scenario and the only other man he has been around is her husband (he was by himself with him for a couple of hours). my dh and i do not believe corporal punishment is suitable and all of our relatives know this.
as an aside, neither my husband or i like this man his sister married. he is arrogant, insulting, etc. we noticed the event when we were cleaning up our clothes and when my husband was rolling up his belt to put in in a drawer, our son freaked out, screamed no and ran into the bathroom. when we mentioned it to my sil, she said maybe he saw something on tv. the only things my child watches is pbs kids, the wiggles, blues clues, you get the picture.
my take is there is no way he got this from tv and i can't get the nagging feeling that something else may have happened out of my head.
we are not allowing our son to go anywhere with her now but coming up with excuses is bound to become difficult. i know that if i told her my suspicions she would be hurt and probably hate both of us. not to mention, she is expecting their first child in may. i can't help but wonder what he will be like around their own child. any thoughts? i do know that i am doing the right thing in keeping my child away from her husband.

Want 2 B Well · 10-17-2003, 03:07 PM

I am glad you are following your heart. When you are a parent you have to make decisions like this even with your own family.

Trust your "gut" and you will never go wrong (for the most part).

nolamama · 10-17-2003, 03:23 PM

You need to tell her, even if it hurts her feelings. Why was he left alone with this man you had bad feelings about?

Aleii · 10-17-2003, 07:00 PM

I agree that you need to tell her, especially if she is going to have a child of her own.

kslittledevil · 10-17-2003, 07:45 PM

I agree with everyone else. Don't let him anywhere near your son. Something happened. Did you see any marks on your son at all? I would keep a careful watch on the child she is carrying. I would also let her know your suspicions.