[Xemera]

I'm the middle child, female, with two siblings. A younger brother and an older sister. I live in an Indian family, so a boy is highly valued but the first born is also very valued to parents.

My father, who I was closest to died in 2009 and ever since his death, my mom and older sister have been making my life hell. I know since birth that my mom wanted me to be a boy. Everyone in my family wanted a boy after my sister but got me and my grandma prayed for a boy after that and got one.

My mom, whenever she gets frustrated, even if me and my brother or sister are involved in an argument, she lets all her anger out on me by slapping me and such. She once shoved me into our shower in the bathroom.

My sister makes things worse. She is over sensitive about everything and when I tell her the truth that something shouldn't offend her, she gets mad at me and threatens to turn my phone off, destroy my artwork or says she's going to kill herself which I know won't happen 110%.

Today, my sister overreacted because she saw a box of Christmas cookies my friends got me. I forgot they were in my room and my sister was accusing me saying "you didn't even offer us any?!?!?!" I told her I forgot I had them so how do I remember to offer them? She kept getting offended and said I would get mad if she even took one. I wouldn't care! It's a cookie! There are so many of them!

I'm a rational person so I say that. I don't understand why she would even assume that. Then she kept bringing in things like "you're always right, right? Bow down to you because you're God." she wouldn't stop and I tried to tell her that she's so over sensitive and she got mad when I said that too even though it's the truth.

My mom woke up hearing us argue and she came right to me first complaining and slapped me 4 times. Then she just lectured all of us. She just hit me. I've noticed how she takes everything out on me. Nobody listens to my point of view in my family.

My dad did, and would speak my voice for me, but after that, my sister and mom would just push me around emotionally and physically. Is there anyone I can call for my sister? A psychologist or something? She's 22 and shouldn't be all over the place and shouldn't be treating her younger sister this way.

I hate being the object of abuse. I'm miserable at home. The way I explained it now, it feels so much worse. I think about suicide sometimes but I can't give life up, I wouldn't get it back. I'm stuck between misery and hell, won't anyone give me some advice?

[CliffARobinson]

You need to find outside activities that get you out of the house as much as possible until you are of legal age. Then you find your own place. Lots of people have bad home situations and they have to learn to cope with the adversity until they are no longer considered a child by the law.

Of course, abuse and neglect are not tolerable. If anyone is being abused or neglected, then the situation needs to be reported to a trusted family member, teacher, guidance counselor, a governmental family protection agency or law enforcement.

You can also contact support agencies like Childhelp. A nonprofit started in 1959, they are dedicated to preventing child abuse. You can call their 800 number and speak to a counselor confidentially. They will not know who you are or where you are calling from.

CALL 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) then push 1 to talk to a hotline counselor.

They speak over 140 languages and you don't have to give them any identifying information.

Good luck, and remember - "this too shall pass".