Imagine this scenario: You are moving away and will not be coming back. You have less than 10 minutes to pack 10 items or people to take with you. For example, ‘shoes’ do not count as 1 item. A singular ‘pair of shoes’ counts an item. Siblings or parents do not count as 1 person. You have to be ...
Parentification: When the Child Becomes the Parent
Family of origin wounds are a result of unmet emotional needs, neglect, or harmful patterns that exist within the family unit. In response to these experiences, children may develop coping mechanisms that can continue into adulthood, affecting their interactions and emotional well-being. One such ...
The Deep Wounds of Playing Favorites
Is there a “black sheep” in your family? One that’s not so much like the others, whether in personality, temperament, or even physically? Many families will deny the existence of a “black sheep,” often because the presence of a black sheep requires the balance of its counterpart, “The Favorite.” But ...
Healing Family of Origin Wounds: The Permissive Parent
What does the phrase “permissive parent” make you think of? I often think of Regina George’s mother from the film Mean Girls. Mrs. George provided her high school-aged daughter (and her friends) with adult beverages and made it her prerogative to be her daughter’s “bestie.” I’m also reminded ...
Trauma, Development, and Spirituality: Protective Factors for Family of Origin Wounds
Childhood is a critical stage in human development. It is during these years that our view of the world, ourselves, and even God is often shaped. Unfortunately, many children grow up navigating painful experiences such as divorce, abuse, alcoholism, poverty, or even natural disasters. These events ...
