A friend of mine has been being guilt tripped into staying in his verbally and emotionally abusive home for quite a while now. Whenever he has tried to leave in the past, his family played with his emotions, breaking him down, and convincing him that he was nothing but scum.
Today, my boyfriend and I sat him down for a long talk. We've tried to do this before, but he never seemed convinced. This time both of us went crazy honest on him. Usually I try to show some tact, but today I absolutely unloaded my opinion of these people in a rather explosive manner. I also told him that he shouldn't be torn down by a "family" that's supposed to love him. He really is a sweetheart of a person, and deserves better than his current situation.
He was quiet for a minute after that.
"I'm beginning to view my family differently."
It was so quiet, so solemn, so.... honest. It really did seem as if our words finally struck home for once. One of those moments where it seemed as if he was physically knocked back by what had been spoken.
I'm counting it as a win. We went over a game plan to get him out of that household, and into a better living environment. As long as he can keep up that hopeful momentum, we might just have some progress on our hands. [/i]
Today, my boyfriend and I sat him down for a long talk. We've tried to do this before, but he never seemed convinced. This time both of us went crazy honest on him. Usually I try to show some tact, but today I absolutely unloaded my opinion of these people in a rather explosive manner. I also told him that he shouldn't be torn down by a "family" that's supposed to love him. He really is a sweetheart of a person, and deserves better than his current situation.
He was quiet for a minute after that.
"I'm beginning to view my family differently."
It was so quiet, so solemn, so.... honest. It really did seem as if our words finally struck home for once. One of those moments where it seemed as if he was physically knocked back by what had been spoken.
I'm counting it as a win. We went over a game plan to get him out of that household, and into a better living environment. As long as he can keep up that hopeful momentum, we might just have some progress on our hands. [/i]