Are you a child abuser?

This is an open letter from a child abuser that is currently in prison serving time for killing his 5 month old son.  He would like to prevent other people from doing the same thing he did. He writes:

"Through abuse, I killed my 5 month old son. I was abused and as a result I became an abuser. I was taught that stress is expressed through anger and anger through violence. I believe that I was taught by example that children could be hit. I had a strong tendency towards violence and abuse. There were also very few positive influences in my life and very many negative ones. Darkness was a way of life for my immediate family. Sin controlled me and the devil had full reign over my heart. I actually believe I was so enveloped in sin that the devil controlled me at times. I had become insane, but now it's so clear what I should have done. What I've learned through my experience is what I want to share."

#1 Always remember - there is absolutely no valid reason to hit an infant no matter what your mind tries to tell you. NO REASON!

#2 If you are not sure what you are doing to your child is wrong - use your stomach as a guide. If you get butterflies in your stomach when you think about doing it, while you are doing it, or after you do it - it is probably wrong.

#3 If your mind tries to talk you into doing it - it is probably wrong.

#4 If you feel a need to or are hiding your behavior - it is probably wrong.

#5 If you feel bad afterward and feel a need to apologize to the child - your behavior was probably wrong.

#6 If you are still not sure, that your behavior or thoughts are wrong - ask someone.

#7 If you are doing anything that involves: hitting, smothering/suffocating, pinching, slapping, shaking, slamming the child down, or any other behavior that you feel might be wrong -

            1^st get away from the child and 2^nd tell someone about your behavior no matter what your mind tries to tell you.

You will be scared and your fear is valid because action will be taken against you. All manner of things could happen to you if you do tell, but if you don't, YOUR CHILD COULD DIE! Then you will go to prison for murder. You'll never be with your child again because HE/SHE WILL BE DEAD!

#8 YOU CANNOT STOP ON YOUR OWN!!!    If you could, you would have. If you could, you probably would never have started in the first place.

#9 Even if your child does not die or does not seem hurt, YOU ARE HURTING HIM!

#10 If you have realized you are doing things that are wrong, they can never become right - no matter how much your mind tries to convince you. IT'S WRONG!           

REMEMBER:

1. GET AWAY FROM THE CHILD
2. TELL SOMEONE ABOUT YOUR BEHAVIOR
3. YES, YOUR CHILD COULD DIE!
4. YOUR BEHAVIOR IS WRONG
5. YOU ARE HURTING HIM
6. NO, YOU CANNOT STOP ON YOUR OWN!

If you are reading this now and you are feeling guilty and/or these things are true of you and your situation, 
GET HELP! YOU COULD BE SAVING YOUR CHILD'S LIFE and maybe your freedom!