Bridges, I am SO happy to hear the end of your story. Please don't think I was saying you were a bad mom, or didn't love your child, or do the best you could. The fact you stayed in a violent relationship was the reason I said unfit, but I'm sure in your mind you believed as long as he wasn't hitting your son he was safe. I hope you are an advocate for DV survivors, because your experience needs to be told. Most people go back to their abusers (I know I did). I am proud of you for leaving and fighting for your child! Thank God you got out and had the strength to stay away. Being a Mom is difficult, being a teen Mom is harder, and being an abused teen mom? You beat the odds, and I am sorry you had to go through all that. I agree with you, that when you are ready to get out, you should not be punished for how long it took you to get out, in the end you left. You proved you were a good mom and did whatever it took to fight to get him home w/ you. In a way, you saved each other.