It is so odd. But many of you seem to have the same problem I do. I own a business and I made the horrible mistake of giving my daughter a job here. She verbally abuses me every single day. All problems seem to be my fault, I seem to be the core of all issues, and I am just vermin under her feet. This situation has driven me crazy and as many of you have it has worn me out and I don't want to live anymore. Everything I thought was good about myself and my life has been wrung out of me. Where can an abused person go for help that is low income for effective counseling. I just feel so incredibly low about myself that I am having a hard time crawling out of this hell. When my daughter was growing up she did throw fits, I did spoil her because I loved her so much, but now I see that I hate her now and am ashamed to say I wish she would die so I could find relief. Is there any hope whatsoever for me?

Well, unfortunately I can't solve all your problems but you did indicate that she is disrespecting you in your own business. This may be hard to do but you can fire her, you know. I think if you did that, it would give you a better sense of control over your life.

How old is she? Does she also live with you?

No, fortunately she doesn't live with me. Yes I could fire her. As is true with abusers (or I've been told), she portrays herself as the suffering and I am just a very bad human. In a small town where everyone knows you and the abuser it is difficult at best. I do get threatened by her (blackmail, turn you into the state, county, feds, etc. etc.) trust me if she could she would come up with any way to hurt or abuse me. I feel in this life it is true you are guilty until proven innocent and even though there is no merit in what she says and I have done nothing wrong, she threatens to poison the minds of my customers and tell lies to various authorities. I have a licensed business that has to be compliant in some areas and all she would need to do to cause me trouble is to make accusations. I do feel there isn't a way out of the web . Thank you for your kind reply.

Low-income counseling should be available for you. Check with the county's human resources department or call counseling agencies to ask if they have a sliding scale. You probably don't need an expensive psychiatrist or psychologist; a master's level counselor/psychotherapist/social worker would be the perfect person to listen to you and guide you in ways to deal with this.

Thank you for your advice. I will check into that right away! Bless you!

Honestly... let the people think what they want. They probably know more about her than you think. If you're upright and treat people well, that goes a long way in showing who you really are and her saying stuff may not make any difference. If you fire her, and suddenly she starts talking crap, people will know why she is.
I think that is your only choice here and you would probably feel better about yourself as well.

You are right, I know that. I have had a great deal of hardship, loss, abuse in my life even prior to my daughter being born. She knows of my suffering and abuse and perhaps I am a magnet for bad people in my life. Did I say earlier she has a degree in psychology!! She knows every way inside and out to mess with the mind. Whenever she makes a mistake though it is still my problem. I even got told today that when I am old and sick I can take that up with my customers, since I treat them better then I treat her. It is very obvious I will not win either way unless she leaves.

I feel for you because I understand what you're going through. I wish you the best of luck.

You and the counselor should be able to outfox her. Check also with Catholic Charities and Lutheran Social Services -- counseling may be available in your area, and you won't get any religious lecture or have to go to church anywhere.