As I prepare to embark on the next stage of my journey; leaving everything that has become so comfortable and familiar, I have been thinking about the idea of reparenting myself. No doubt, my inner child will be triggered by this big move and all the challenges it entails.
It’s not surprising that she would be afraid and fearful and that’s why I know it’s important for me to look after her right now, and reassure her that I am in control and that I am looking after her. When I was younger, we moved a lot; from house to house and I went to three different primary schools. At that point, I was already so used to dealing with everything by myself. Holding in all the feelings and turning to books and school for comfort.
I am reparenting that little girl today, telling her how special and cherished she is and how she is safe now. I tell her that she can relax and play and be carefree, she can play with her dolls like she used to; taking them all every Sunday and filling the bathtub so that she could give them a bath and comb their hair and put on freshly laundered clothes for them. I tell her that she can soak up all the unconditional love that she received from her grandmother. That she doesn’t have to make any decisions or worry about anything; that she is in the best of care and that she is heard and seen.
I am unearthing all those beautiful memories I have of being around my grandmother; standing on a stool beside her as she lovingly prepared her meals. I had my own special rolling pin and I would roll the dough into strange shapes; all of which were received with such delight. I tell little me to remember that feeling of warmth that emanated from Ma’s body as I wrapped my little arms around her at night and as I stood behind her on the living room sofa brushing her long silvery-grey hair. Remember the wholehearted laughter that brought tears to Ma’s eyes as you watched tv and ate popcorn and roasted nuts.
I mine deep to dig up these treasures and capture them with my camera. The camera that is my new angle and perception. I use these memories from the past combined with the self-love of present time to mother myself back to integration and wholeness. It fills me up from the inside and then I don’t need to look outward for praise, attention and love. I am my own best friend and parent now.
These memories are so luscious, deep and warm. I love that cultivate such love into the present, keeping its warmth, her warmth.
Odd because lately I’ve been thinking of my own grandmother, Pearl, and how she offered love, stability, and a place without chaos. She made me feel special and loved. She was a very important person in my life growing up, helped cement the good qualities in myself which kept me sane throughout life’s challenges.
I love the idea of keeping those memories warm.
Thank you for this beauty of a post!
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Thank you for commenting and sharing, I am so happy that you had what I had! We both needed it so badly.
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I love the part where you brushed her long silvery hair…
How’s the packing going?
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I used to love brushing her hair! She inspired me to grow mine.
I am still selling off stuff but it’s going smoothly. Havent actually started my packing of what I am taking with, but at least I know what I am not taking lol! Thank you for asking.
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You bet. Good luck!
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Thanks I know you are there even if thousands of miles away and I appreciate it.
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I love reading your posts. I “know” that survivors of our kind of childhood trauma experience very similar challenges but, I swear, sometimes reading your blog posts are like reading pages out of my own journal. SO many similarities. As always, kudos to you for being so aware of what feels true and good for you and acting on it. For me, I feel like I’m starting to enjoy learning how to parent my inner child and give her what she needs. Of course, I still experience days of wishing I had had parents to show me an example of what healthy parenting looks and feels like but, discovering what I need and then giving that to myself is feeling really satisfying these days. Keep up the good fight and good luck with your packing!
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Wow it’s incredible isn’t it, I have experienced that too. reading someone else’s post and seeing myself reflected in it. It goes to show how there is absolutely nothing wrong with us. what was done to us was so wrong and so profoundly affected us. Than k you for commenting and supporting me. It sounds like you are doing a great job in parenting yourself! Thanks I am getting the stuff done slowly. Just trying to be patient and gentle with me.
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Really powerful, brings tears to my eyes knowing what’s ahead for me. Thanks for posting this, Deb
You’re brave and strong.
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Thank you for reading and commenting on my post. It helps to know that in sharing my story, it can inspire others!
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Reblogged this on living in stigma.
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Thanks for the reblog!
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Thanks for this post. I’ve been looking for some ways to heal that inner child and you’ve given me some good ideas. Good luck with your move.
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Thank you! I am glad you were able to get some ideas.
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Thank you for the nomination 😊
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