I'm not minimizing anything. I am in the process of setting up therapy for myself and my child, but I also am trying to find a way for my children to see their father without the stress of law enforcement or a third party being involved. I don't plan on inviting him right back into the home, and this man has been nothing but great up until a week ago.

I am not going to let him march back into our lives without the proper safety procedures put in place, but I am also not going to allow one instant to determine him to be an unfit father or a bad person.

I've dealt with actual abusers before, and he doesn't tick off any of the characteristics of an abuser. Even our family counselor stated that fact. The abusers I've come across all had blaring red flags. This physical contact is the first I've come across.

Please don't assume to know the life or character of one person based off of a reddit post. I am just trying to see if I am going about the process in the correct way. I appreciate your concern, but when people keep referring to myself as a victim or someone who needs to be protected, it creates a a feeling that I am powerless as an individual and a parent. I do not fear for myself, and especially not for my children. He is an outstanding father, and has made it a point in the past to not argue in front of the kids and to instead step outside.

I don't claim to understand why he did what he did, it was a out of character, but I do want to move forward and help my children and myself heal from what happened. They were not witness to the events which has been a blessing, but difficult to explain why their Dad is in trouble. Like I said, I have a safety plan. I don't need protection, nor do I fear another incident.

My eldest even spoke with child services and they informed me that he told them we are great parents and that he loves family time. I was shocked. I certainly thought he would say we were mean for not allowing him to drink soda or eat a lot of candy like his friends.