⚠️ **Was I Groomed? This Topic Deserves a Real Discussion!** ⚠️
Hey everyone! I want to dive into something that’s been on my mind, and I’m hoping to hear your thoughts. Here’s the scoop:
I (23F) had a rocky relationship with my mom growing up. At 14, I found solace in the Girl Scouts, where I developed a really close bond with one of my troop leaders (24F). She filled a void for me—I felt like she was more of a mom than my own. We had sleepovers, I changed in front of her, and we chatted about everything… including sex. There were those little moments that felt too intimate: ass slaps, her showing me where she kept her dildo, asking about my sex life. 🤔
As I moved into my late teens, it shifted into something different. When I turned 18, she called me her “wifey.” I was always at her place, ditching classes to grab coffee together, and eventually I even *moved in* with her when I was 21. But now, looking back, I can’t shake the feeling that something was off. 😟
**So here’s my question: Was I groomed, or am I just overthinking things?**
🤔 **Key Points to Consider:**
- **Boundary Crossing:** She blurred the lines between a parental role and something more personal, which can create confusion about what’s acceptable.
- **Power Dynamics:** The age difference and your age when it started can play a role in whether it feels like grooming—especially if you were emotionally vulnerable at the time.
- **Accepting Help:** Sometimes, people fill emotional gaps in our lives due to other dysfunctional relationships, but it’s vital to recognize when that care crosses an appropriate line.
🧠 **Possible Solutions:**
- **Educate Yourself:** Understanding grooming can help you identify red flags in relationships. Check out resources from organizations like [RAINN](https://www.rainn.org/) or [Stop It Now!](https://www.stopitnow.org/).
- **Talk It Out:** Speaking to a trusted friend or therapist can provide clarity and help you process these feelings. Talking can lighten the emotional load!
- **Set Boundaries:** Reflecting on what felt uncomfortable can guide you in future relationships to maintain healthy boundaries. 🚧
**Let’s talk about it!** Have you ever felt unsure about a relationship? How did you navigate those feelings? 🗣️👇 Share your experiences or insights—your voice matters, and together we can support each other in understanding these complex emotions!
💬 **Are there moments in your life where the lines felt blurred? Did you seek help or find resources that supported you? Let’s open up the conversation.**
#GroomingAwareness #HealthyRelationships #BoundariesMatter #EmotionalSafety #DiscussToEducate
Yea I think the grooming process started but good on u for cutting it off
This would be a textbook example of grooming
Yes, def. groomed, and what a clever young woman you are to get out in time.
If you feel thoughts roaming a bit, maybe there are some free counselling sessions from last-year-psychology students, in a community center or such, in a reachable distance from you, just to tie a nice bow on your smartness, and be able to move on a little lighter in your steps.
I wish you all the best, and **trust your guts.** ♥
Was the person a lot older than you, especially if you were a kid or teen?
Yes, it does look like you were being groomed. You were smart to get out of the situation.
As your troop leader, she was in a position of trust and through the description in your post, abused her position and should not be in contact with children who might look up to her and trust her.
What’s a “Boomerang” in this context?