I am wondering the same thing. I am 35 years old. A mother of 2 children. My daughter lives with my parents and my son lives with me. I was physically beaten from the time I was 8, and was living on my own sleeping in ditches at the age of 13. If the police would pick me up I would get sent to girls homes or survival camps. DHS never came and asked questions. I mean you would think my parents would have had to answer to someone.
My problem is not so much the torment I endured as a child. It's that mu daughter is with them because I went to prison and they said they needed custody for insurance purposes. They made all these promises about never keeping her from me. etc. Now my mother refuses to let my daughter so much as talk to me. SHe is threatening to get dhs involved in my life now, which is honestly fine by me. However my son and daughter are not able to see each other because of this.
I admit that I have had terrible relationships, poor coping skills, my stability is not so great, and not to place blame elsewhere, I just don't know where I would learn the positive sides of the things I just listed. I have suffered. I was raped because I was a teen out on the streets. I have been beat up more by my dad then all the other men in my life, but it became the norm for me. I know I'm messed up, but I know nothing will change the past, but my mother who has hated me since I was little won't stop with the threats. I know she is provoking me intentionally because I typically will lose it. I am trying to be more level headed but its hard. What would you all do if you were me? I know this was supposed to be an answer... oh crap... sorry.

Post moved to its own thread.

First its not a good idea to piggyback your question on someone else's. This can lead to confusion. You should start a new thread. So your question has been moved to its own thread.

Second, the FIRST thing you need is to get counseling. You need to get your act together so you can show a court that you are a capable parent. A counselor will help you do that. Check out a local battered woman support group for recommendations.

Once you get a counselor who can testify as to your stability, then you get an attorney and file for custody of your daughter. You NEED a lawyer to prepare a case for you that will convince a court. With your history this will not be easy. But its possible.

Good luck to you.