Meet Lydia and Madeleine
Lydia* was a mother living with her four children under the age of 12, including her oldest child, Madeleine. From the time Madeleine was born until she was four years old, Madeleine witnessed her mother in a physically and emotionally abusive relationship. Lydia’s ex-husband would often abuse and taunt her in her toddler’s presence.
As she grew up, Madeleine developed aggressive behaviors similar to that of Lydia’s ex-husband. Lydia felt more and more concerned about how the abuse had impacted her young daughter. How could Lydia help her daughter heal when she herself still bore wounds from the abuse she endured?
First, EFC’s therapist worked with Lydia to develop tools to process and heal from her ex-husband’s abuse. Being trapped in such a toxic environment for several years had left its mark on Lydia’s psyche. Their therapist also identified that Madeleine’s behavior was still in response to her family’s past abusive environment.
Madeleine clinged to behaviors that served her in an environment where she experienced trauma, but those behaviors hindered her in her current life. Her therapist was able to connect with the young girl and help Madeleine process her anger and develop coping skills.
When the mother and daughter completed therapy, Madeleine told their therapist that she felt more like her mother loved and supported her. This was a far cry from the feelings of mistrust and anger Madeleine started the program with.
Lydia was able to get Madeleine the care she needed through long-overdue attention to both of their mental and emotional wounds. With their therapist’s help, the mother and daughter created a home environment responsive to but not controlled by their past trauma. Most importantly, Lydia and Madeleine strengthened their mother-daughter relationship in the process.
*Names have been changed to protect clients’ privacy.
This story illustrates YOUR support in action. If it weren’t for compassionate people like you, Lydia and Madeleine would not be able to access counseling services to heal from their trauma and strengthen their realtionship. Unfortunately, so many families can’t afford the therapy and other resources they need to help their children thrive. With your support, kids like Madeleine can flourish.
Dear reader, we want to remind you that your support and engagement allow us to make children’s better by providing free education, counseling, and support to break dysfunctional patterns of generational abuse and neglect in adults and other children’s caregivers. You have the power to ensure Durham area children can access the support they need, no matter their family’s income.
Thank you for being a hero for children!