Is it normal that my father started kissing my neck once i turned 13?

(Sorry if this somehow manages to break one of the 'forbidden topic' rules-- I really don't know if this is crossing a line!)

I know there's already a lot of things that really, really aren't normal about this family's dynamic. Tons of neglect(plain neglect and educational, emotional?) and abuse(verbal, emotional, physical) problems, it took me a long time to figure it out but the stuff I grew up with really isn't normal in crucial areas.

Isolation too, I guess. Not allowed to leave the house for years at a time, despite empty promises. I know this stuff isn't normal already, that's not what I'm confused about. It's been bugging me for a long time. I never was able to figure it out, but maybe outside opinions will help?

Before I turned 13 and things really started going down the drain and police + CPS started getting called, he wouldn't do this. A hug is about as far as it had ever gone since I was a small child. And then, it was only definitely normal things. I think. I don't think I'd call tickling a kid into laughter induced tears abnormal, but maybe I'm wrong. Sometimes I'll think back to hearing how I/my legs looked "SO good" in a skirt when I was 12 and think "that sounds weird, huh, its at least uncomfortable." but I don't know if it was actually weird to hear that from your dad. Maybe he was just trying to compliment me.

But, like, after I turned 13, after things started going down and I started making it clear I knew he shouldn't have been treating us like that, he started getting... Affectionate, I guess? Touching my back/the small of it, kissing my neck, though that's as far as it's ever gone. Went on while I was 13, stopped for a few years, started spurting up again once I turned 16 and didn't stop after that. I grew up hugging my parents in the morning before doing my own thing, but I didn't think he'd actually throw a tantrum that I forgot to do it when i was /16/ either.

It's uncomfortable, doing these things with a person I no longer trust, and it's uncomfortable being kissed like that or touched like that, but I couldn't just tell him as much. Especially not when even sincerely forgetting to hug him was going to be taken like that. My older sister's told me that it's just normal, that I'm taking his affections weirdly. It's not like she normally defends him.

I don't know. It's been bothering me for years. Was it normal? IS it normal?

(again, i'm super sorry if this isn't a good topic for this site.)

Voting Results
24% Normal
Based on 34 votes (8 yes)
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Comments ( 11 )
  • CountessDouche

    No, it isn't normal to be touched in any way that makes you uncomfortable & your feelings are completely valid. Your father definitely crossed a line. You are entitled to autonomy over your body & not being touched in any way that feels inappropriate. Don't invalidate your feelings. Just because it didn't escalate to molestation or something more severe does not mean you are overreacting. It's ok for you to be bothered by all of this, and if you find it still gets to you, I encourage you to speak to a therapist. It sounds like you have a lot of pain and abuse to process. I'm sorry all of this happened to you.

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    • RoseIsabella

      Yes!

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    • Ellenna

      I second all of that: good post!

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      • RoseIsabella

        I third it!

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        • McBean

          This is suggestive of vampire movies. Her Dad should be helping her to avoid vampires, not getting her comfortable with them. Bad parenting here for sure. Creepy too.

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  • curious-bunny

    Definitely not normal, generally the people kissing my neck are people that are about to hurt me. (In a good way) point being the neck is a sensual and sexual location. It's not appropriate to kiss your child there at all. Or really any child.

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  • I think you are twisting what really happened

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  • SwickDinging

    None of this is normal.

    Hope you manage to get out of this situation OP.

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  • mia500

    It's not as much of a question of if it's normal of common, it's more about if YOU are comfortable with it. Just because someone else said they don't mind a hug or being touched doesn't mean you have to comply with a hug, ESPECIALLY when you're uncomfortable with giving/receiving one. I myself am very touchy and love hugs but there are some people I don't feel comfortable hugging because of what you said like hand placement, how long they hug, etc.

    The skirt comment is really weird to me. I have been told by my father many times that "I look nice" or he might even say "That's a cool outfit" The difference here is that he's talking about my clothes, never direct comments on my body (like saying my legs look nice). I would find a way to express that you're uncomfortable being touched because it's sticking up for yourself. Also, he doesn't have a right to get mad over you not wanting a hug, you are his daughter but he needs to respect your personal space as he would any other woman.

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  • 4w04se

    Does he do the same thing with your sister? Anyway I think it is totally your freedom, your body, I would try to lessen it anyway or just say that i dont like that.

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  • RoseIsabella

    I don't think it's normal at all! I think it's weird, and creepy as Hell.

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