Rocky relationship translates into abuse
Dear Amy: My father and I have always had a rocky relationship. He punched me, body slammed me and choked me when I was a teenager and living with my parents.
He's been an alcoholic my whole life. He lashes out at everyone around him. He understands he has an addiction but will argue with anyone who confronts him about it.
I moved out soon after I turned 18 because I couldn't stand living in the same house as him.
I am now 22, with a baby. I live with my fiance.
I usually spend time with my parents on Saturdays because I don't work and want to get out of the house.
Last Saturday, my father and I got into an argument and he ended up throwing my daughter's stuff into the yard. He proceeded to curse me out.
He has told my mother to not have any contact with me and to not let me into their house.
My dad's birthday will be coming up in a month and I do not plan on joining my family for the party. They pressure me to make amends.
Is it wrong of me to distance myself from my family because of something like this? Is it understandable that, until my dad gets help for his alcohol addiction, I do not want to be around him?
-- The Black Sheep
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