They seem to be doing it to protect themselves and/or to avoid taking responsibility. If you remember something happened (abuse), then it doesn't really matter if you can't remember exactly how often. It shouldn't even have happened that once.

And no, abuse under any guise is *not*, and never will be, normal. They overstepped a sacrosanct boundary, and this is morally reprehensible. A parent is there to love and care and *protect* their child.

If you know something happened, you should trust yourself. Not them.