OH sure, in families of color it's completely copacetic to smack a kid around, lie to his mother, make up another cover story to the aunt, withhold food to the kid and hold him prisoner on the couch. That's how we roll. Michelle Obama taught that style of parenting. OP needs to relax and work on her hair do. |
I am black and believe what OP's dad did is beyond crazy (and that OP has extremely poor judgment for even letting this happen the first place). |
| The punishment for telling you what happened is, to me, the most disturbing part. But hitting is not good. What exactly happened? I wouldn’t put the six-hour travel burden on your sister. If you want your son out of there, you should go get him. |
It's hard to admit to yourself that your parents are getting older and sometimes it takes something major to get over the hump of disbelief. |
I was a poor white kid who had parents with high school diplomas. I got hit plenty and sometimes got welts. Flyswatters, belts, slaps... |
| I have a 13yo and I'd be on the first plane. It's actually a scarier situation because your son is old enough to react in ways that could seriously escalate the situation (running away or hitting back.) Get out there now, and get your child out of that house. That goes double since you and your sister both acknowledge that your father is not up to doing this. |
I would think you could orchestrate a return flight from home. Maybe use task rabbit to get him to the airport and checked in for the flight. |
I was a middle class white kid whose parents had a masters degree and PhD, respectively. I got hit plenty (slaps, hairbrushes, whatever was laying around, etc.) OP needs to get her child out of there. I like the idea of booking the next plane home for him. |
Why in the world did you allow your son to go solo? Go get him. |
| You have to demonstrate to your son that you trust him, or he won't continue to tell you things. You can work on the relationship with your dad later, but you need to save the relationship with your son now. |
| I’m white and I got smacked plenty. I really don’t think it’s a big deal and sometimes it’s deserved. I recognize most helicopter, liberal DCUM parents will not agree, but that’s why your kids are little jerks. |
| Well, it is not ok. But, I do remember when I was about that age, that my grandpa smacked me, more of a beating really. This was long ago, but I totally deserved it. I was throwing a fit and literary kicking my grandpa. Honestly he didn't give it as good as he should have. I never held a grudge and even now, I remember grandpa fondly. He loved me, and I loved him. This never impacted our relationship. But, no it is not ok to hit a kid. Was your kid acting like me, and possibly hitting grandpa? In that case only, I could justify grandpa's actions. Though, if that was the case and I was grandpa in question, I would have sent the brat back to you on the first plane out. |
I don't suppose you know what the word "irony" means, do you? Lol. |
| I have a 12 year son too. I would be on the next plane. |
| This story is not adding up to me. If you have this type of animosity towards your father, why would you ever send your child across the country alone to stay with him? You obviously don't trust your father, as you trust the word of a 12 year old over him. Why would you ever put your child or your father in that situation? I am not saying what happened was acceptable, however, it really sounds like there is more to the story than you are saying or that you know. |