I was smacked as a child when I did something wrong, and with my mum it was just a few short slaps on the back of the legs, which hurt, but with my dad, I was kicked and beaten, and the pain would last for days, often with bruises. I hated getting smacked by both parents, but I was scared of my dad for many years. I'm wondering now whether he might have crossed 'the line', wherever it may be, and whether it could be the reason why I have a damaged relationship with my parents now? I don't see my dad as a bad or violent person, but he looked that way when I was young. Opinions?