Aggressive or Care-taking Behavior in Children:
Children who live in violent homes may take that experience with them to school and to the playground. Often the class bully is a child who sees violence in his home (directed at mom, or at some or all of the children in the home). At the opposite extreme, children who seem very grown-up and are sensitive and attentive to others’ needs may see violence at home as well. For these children, there may be no sense of a parent as a strong caretaker and they may morph themselves into a caretaker role.

Children:
serious problems with temper tantrums

continual fighting at school or between siblings

lashing out at objects, inside or outside of the home

treating pets cruelly or abusively

threatening younger sister or brother with violence For instance, "You get over here with my teddy bear or I'll kill you."

attempting to get attention through hitting, kicking or choking

modeling after the abuser--"Monkey see, monkey do"

with girls, withdrawal, signs not so obvious

occasional cringing if you raise your arm