No one tells you how hard it is to date after an abusive relationship.

I have been with my boyfriend for 6 months. I have a baby girl from my previous relationship which was so emotionally and mentally abusive.

I completely lost myself in that relationship. I put up with it for 4 years too long.

My current boyfriend has a hard time understanding it. When things get brought up about my past, instead of him saying “you’re so strong for going through that” he gets quiet and says how he just “doesn’t understand why I would put up with my ex and have a kid with him”. I asked if my past made him think less of me and his response was “idk I just don’t get it”. It hurts my feelings. I don’t want his pity, I’d like him to make me feel special though or make me feel like he acknowledges what I’ve been through and respects me MORE because of it. Not like he thinks I was a desperate sad person.

Does anyone have input on this? I don’t really know if this is something I should brush off or discuss with him?