It would be funny, if it were not so painful, the number of times someone said to me they had a “normal” childhood with a loving family. Yes, it is true we learn our own version of “normal” and yes we all survived (because we are here now, looking at each other) but the legacy of the past continues to influence many lives in very insidious ways. The quote from Susan Forward’s book illustrates the minimum level of support a child should expect. Unfortunately, many children get a small subset of the list she describes.
“Children have the basic inalienable rights to be fed, clothed, sheltered, and protected. But along with these physical rights, they have the right to be nurtured emotionally, to have their feelings respected, and to be treated in ways that allow them to develop a sense of self-worth.
Children also have the right to be guided by appropriate parental limits on their behaviour, to make mistakes, and to be disciplined without being physically or emotionally abused.
Finally, children have the right to be children. The have the right to spend their early years being playful, spontaneous, and irresponsible.”
Toxic Parents: Overcoming Their Hurtful Legacy and Reclaiming Your Life (Susan Forward PhD, pg 30, 2002)
