Things Your Inner Child Might Need

Find a way to honor your inner child consistently by offering what it might need.

• Structure: Create structure in your day through routine, scheduling, or having a set bedtime or wake up time.
• Play and Freedom: Add moments of safe play in your life.
• Community: Look for people that share the same values and allow you to be yourself.
• Love and Positive Reinforcement: Speak kindly to yourself and spend time with people that do the same.
• Safety and Security: Create a space that you can go to and feel safe and secure.
• Emotional Health: Allow yourself to feel and experience emotions.

Parentification is when a child is forced to take on the role of an adult. Many children get pushed into the role of caretake for their younger siblings or become the referee in their parent’s arguments.

When caregivers aren’t able to fully show up for themselves, children...