Healing our inner child has become the force behind my clinical work as I’ve listened to thousands of people in my practice.
It is of utmost importance that we take care and nurture that inner child we all possess. The first time I heard about this inner child was in the late 80’s as I participated in a counseling session with my significant other at that time. I’ll never forget when the counselor told us, “It’s important to take care of that inner child, you know!” He said it in a nonchalant way and then he recommended that we read the book, Necessary Losses by Judith Viorst.
I picked up the book, read it, and to this day, I go to it from time to time to remind myself of this fact. I too encourage you to do your research on how to nurture that “little you” that needs you more than anybody else in the world. Below you will find a link to a website that I recommend to all my clients as they begin their healing journey. I promise you, you won’t be disappointed you did.
Matthew Lloyd Atterberry
There is nothing wrong with having inner child. Maybe some people think having an inner child is foolish; however it is not. The inner child must be utilized in a manner that will not lead to childish behavior by adults. Yes, the Apostle Paul said “When I was a child I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.” (I Corinthians 13:11). Having an inner child does not excuse adults from exhibiting childish behavior. It is important to own up (Man up or Woman Up) to your mistakes, shortcomings & failures instead of deflecting blame on others. To me, the true essence of character is when an adult who utilizes inner child to confess wrongdoing without blaming others and speaks to that inner child in doing better next time and not to repeat the same mistake over and over.
Maida Mascorro
Thanks Matthew for you thoughts on your inner child. It is definitely important to nurture it and am glad you are learning to do that with yours as well.