Your 'Inner-Child' is the Key to Your Success

Did you know that we all have parts of us that are like a child? Did you also know that this part of us, when ignored, acts just like a living child, throwing tantrums, sulking and becomes rage-ful. Often, due to neglect of our feelings, this part of us has difficulty understanding, identifying and communicating needs. Shame, guilt, anger, sadness, being demanding, withholding, vengeful, despondent, feeling lost, bullying and many other feelings and behaviors are associated with this part of us. Do these feelings and behaviors seem familiar? This is what happens when we  ignore our young needs.

~"inner child" is unresolved childhood experiences and the lingering dysfunctional effects of childhood dysfunction.~ John Bradshaw

We have all had our challenges growing up.  As adults we eventually realize our childhood was not as picture perfect as we may have thought, or if it was a nightmare, that there are many people who share those experiences. YOU are not so alone. It seems recently, in the last 10 years, there has been a growing need to uncover family dynamics and our inner world. Just take a look at the many reality shows on television. These shows often point to a realization that the ‘new normal’ for a family is far from the 50’s idea of normal.  We did not grow up in an ideal family. Accepting responsibility for our own experience, thoughts, feelings and behaviors is not so easy.

It can be extremely difficult coming to grips with some of our childhood memories. Alcoholic parents or siblings, drug addictions, physical, emotional and verbal abuse, being ignored or manipulated, guilt, shame of our sexism or racism, class or heritage are just a few of the many experiences that can overwhelm us as children. And - the younger and more intensely you've experienced family dysfunction the more engrained and childlike are the ways you cope. 

Ask yourself:

1. Does it seem sometimes that your feelings and behaviors are out of your control?

2. Do you feel like you have no way of getting what you want in the world?

These are common experiences. The good news is beginning to build a relationship with lost parts of you is actually an amazingly satisfying (and sometimes tough) experience. You get to become a parent to your own child that has been waiting for you. You know yourself better than anyone and are the best person to help out. I have had years of experience educating adults about their inner child and helping that adult listen and support themselves in practical and loving ways. I've helped people become the best parent to themselves and often to their own kids. So, let's try a few sessions and see if we can bridge the gap between those young feelings and needs and adult behaviors.