Comments on: Mommy Meanest?

By: Mark Brammall

Mark Brammall — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:33:04 +0000

It is unfortunate the child had to experience this type of discipline by his caregiver/mother and likewise it is not an experience she will look back at later and be proud of either. There is no win situation here. Whatever reasons the mother believed she had at the time, need to be exposed so she will be better guided with healthy choices of what love can be and is. For the young lad, at least it is not too late to intervene before he defines love by his negative experiences.

By: Jan Moore

Jan Moore — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:11:38 +0000

My grandparents had a ranch in Colorado. During the Depression, they took in teenagers who had no place to go. My Grandma used to say that it was easier the raise someone else ’s children than it was your own. I don’t know if this is true or not in general, but it seem to be true for me. I have 5 of my own from births and one of my own from someone else s birth. This child was easier than my birth children. He is such a good kid! So, I don’t believe that she has had more problems with her adopted child than her natural child is the problem.

I suspect that the cause is more in the line of having too little time, the fact that she needs some time off, not having good parenting skills, her age, or any number of problems in her life.

However, it is important that the issues be addressed and the problems need to have a workable solution. If this doesn’t happen, I can tell you from experience that her children will suffer the consequences of their rearing for the duration of their lives.

By: Ellen

Ellen — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:25:52 +0000

I agree that this behaviour is simply abusive – to the extreme. I like what Lisa, who has the child with pediatric bi-polar disorder, had to say. I had a mother who abused this way and in other psychological ways as well. As it turned out, my mother was NPD and I did not learn this until late in life. She continually made all her problems the problems of another person, particularly her children. It would appear that this is what this mother is doing. I was a single mother for seven years of two special needs children while I was attending Journalism school. One child has Down Syndrome and the other has mild Tourette’s Syndrome, OCD and a learning disability (although he is far above average intelligence). I had to learn to manage this situation using win win techniques, all of which are readily available in this Informaiton laden culture we now have. On top of this, I had absolutely no family support and minimal financial assets to lessen the stress level. Yet, now, my two are seen as being very well adjusted, obedient, happy, healthy children. It just takes some growing up and reaching out before one gets to the point of no return. It sounds to me like this mother is way over her head in terms of ability to be an adult, perhaps because she has some kind of psychological issues herself. Dr. Phil, I am not judging, just making some valid points. Add what I have said to the fact that I do believe in corporeal discipline for children but that would be within certain guidelines. Spanking on the backside or a slap on the back of the hand. What I have learned, however, is that most children respond well to reality discipline. I think this young mother needs to be assessed to determine what her psychological status is. Something is just not right here…

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 23:15:42 +0000

Dr. Phil
I am a single mother two beautiful children both of which are AD/HD and the youngest also has Aspergers’. I often find myself letting my emotions & stress get the better of me and while I have never physically lashed out at my children I have lashed out verbally to them. Especially my daughter who often has many uncontrollable outburst or what I call”spells”. While I love my daughter so very much I find that when we are the most tired or there is a lot of things going on for us is when I lash out the most. I hate to see that many of these people are judging this mother who just seems to allow her emotions to get the better of her. I do not believe anyone can truly know what this particular mother is having to deal with on a daily basis.

By: brenda

brenda — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 08:32:16 +0000

dear dr phill,

aim brenda from holland and i look this show this week! my god how is this happend?? you want to help this boy! take is away from this mother!! i was crying to see this!! here in holland we do not accept this! this was a show that i hate!! i was crying for this little boy!!
i want that mom for 5 min alone!!!!
aim a mother from 2 girls!! never never you can do this on your child!!!
and you give her help??? sorry help this boy, to go get out of this house!!!!!
sorry for my englisch its not so good!!
greatings from brenda from holland!!

By: Sharon

Sharon — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 03:01:45 +0000

Dear Dr Phil,,
it is Wednesday the 7th of December in Australia,,and i have just watched your show as i do every day of the week at 12pm. OH MY GOD!!!!! iv just sat here and listened to u saying that in particular countries this is not child abuse!!!!! im totally horrified!!!! i have three children of my own and would NEVER EVER dream of doing anything like that to my children..im just speechless and write this through tears,,and totally agree with kerri,, i realize we are very much behind on your show,but i just had to write this ,,i hope this little boy is doing ok

By: Karla

Karla — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 12:51:28 +0000

Dr. Phil,
I sat in my home this morning watching your show. We seem to be a little behind here (Ireland) I noticed this show is from August 2011.
I felt physically sick, cried, called my husband in work. I am a mum to 3 boys and totally understand the stresses and strains of every day life. But this is very different, I would lie all the time to avoid the punishment she gives. She punishes because he was in trouble in school, well the reason he is lashing out in school is because of the her treatment of this young boy in his home. A place where he should be safe, loved, have parents who he can depend on. Not be afraid off.
To think that her 10 year old daughter filmed this surley should make her see that even kids can see what she is doing is wrong. His sobs in that cold shower will haunt me.
Please please undate on this little boy, I am hoping he was removed from this woman and her husband. In fact Im surley her husband and her mother should also be held accountable for sitting by and doing nothing.
She makes claims he is the only child like this..the other kids in the house deal with life differently. She stated the twin is withdrawn…..IF COURSE HE IS – he sees the abuse his brother gets and must think to himself if he asks her permission for everything then he can avoid being treated the same.
This woman should never have been allowed adopt. I dont think she is fit to even hold onto her biological children.

By: Christy Shears

Christy Shears — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:09:27 +0000

I know there is a lot of abuse to children and always has been, but I feel we as a society are always looking at for physical signs and do not recognize the emotional abuse a lot of children endure. I personally know this is a lot harder than the physical abuse. I know people who put their children in situations then threaten them if they tell, I cannot imagine how hard this is. Are there not signs to show this type of abuse? There are many children who are afraid of their parent/parents and do not know what to do, Dr. Phil what can a child do and be protected.

By: GARY

GARY — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 11:19:13 +0000

ive spent the last hour doing what i need to reg/log on/sign up just so i could get the message out.WHAT ABOUT THE FATHER WHY ISNT HE BEING CHARGED.i know for a fact that THE COLD SHOWER WAS HIS IDEA.god help those childern.HE NEEDS TO BE HOSED DOWN WITH A FIRE HOSE.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 21:52:05 +0000

You asked us not to judge? Well too damn bad. My son’s behavior can be so horrendous at times, it would make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. He has pediatric bipolar disorder. I have never, ever abused him physically or emotionally. One time in all of his short 10 years I slapped him on the arm after he bit my leg so hard he drew blood. I still get sick to my stomach remembering that incident and my loss of control, yet this mother barely flinched while the video of her disgusting abuse was played. And she has done this several times! Feeling no remorse equals a cold heart, in my opinion, not a last resort as you say.