For me if I showed any reaction (weakness), then it would become a button for my family to push over and over again. I remember consciously saying to myself if I don't react (respond) then they won't keep on doing it (hopefully).
I think its how I became conditioned to believe abuse was love in the end. Even the button pushing was attention.
I agree that when my children arrived, I would protect them (except from their dad). sigh. His behavior wasn't sane at times.