Emotional neglect of children is a silent epidemic in our society.
When we don’t experience authentic emotional connection with safe adults as a child, it prevents us from being able to fully develop a sense of self.
Usually, one’s sense of self is developed through the assistance of those safe adults in our life.
Our familiarity with each other, how we mirror each other’s emotions and actions- it’s through this relationship with our caregivers that we build who we are.
Sadly, our current society is not set up for the emotional health of parents.
Many parents are overworked, without support, exhausted, and coping with their own unresolved traumas.
They experience this all while saddled with the pressure and responsibilities of child rearing- and it may well lead to the neglect of their child’s emotional needs.
And, unfortunately for that neglected child, the effects of this lack of connection can carry into adulthood and later relationships.
Then, searching for comfort in familiarity, one will often find a partner who is also emotionally unavailable or neglectful, as this is the kind of connection (or lack thereof) they became so accustomed to in their earliest years.
The impact of childhood neglect doesn’t have to be chronic, though.
Here are a few tools to help heal from emotional neglect:
Learn what your needs are and how to meet those needs (physical, spiritual, and emotional)
Understand your authentic self- beyond your early conditioning.
Flesh out your unique value system
Practice communicating your own needs & helping meet the needs of those around you.
Understand that it’s okay to ask for help, accept help, to authentically experience love.
Ultimately, healing means meeting your authentic self..
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