| Summary: | Natalie describes the relationship with her mother as good, distant in a way, and gentle. Natalie's relationship with her father isn't close but he pushes her to do her best in school and can be hard on her. Natalie admits that her father's "encouragement" is often critical and he's verbally abusive, primarily when he's been drinking. During those episodes when he's been drinking, which happen regularly, he will call her "worthless" and "a waste of space." These comments make Natalie feel small and cause her to shut down. Natalie's mom tries to stay out of the middle and has never interrupted her father's verbal abuse of Natalie. According to Natalie, her mother isn't strong and never stands up to her father. Natalie's relationship with her brother, who has recently moved home, is further strained. Natalie's brother sometimes gets physical with her, but she claims it's just wrestling or "playing." These physical alterations with her brother have resulted in some bruising. Though Natalie doesn't find the wrestling fun, she says it's not horrible either.
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