I can totally relate to what you're saying. Before I started this healing process and learned about DID I couldn't understand myself - how i could be so high-functioning at times and like a scared baby so much of the rest of the time.

Now I'm starting to identify and work with my inner children and something occurred to me just yesterday - that being able to separate out the kids from the adult and embracing the inner baby/toddler/kid/teenager is allowing me to be more adult when needed. I'm just starting so I'm not sure if it's going to work this way or not, but the last few days I've been able to rise to an adult level for most of the day, whereas before I'd be debilitated by (what I now call) emotional flashbacks all day.

So to answer your question, I think and hope that the trick is to know and embrace and coddle your child-selves as needed, but know that a part of you IS an adult and needs to function as such some of the time. Knowing the inner child seems to be liberating the inner adult. Who'd a thunk it?

Hi DonewithitNow, I have a book 'Becoming your own Parent' which may be helpful and give a few ideas or guidelines. I read it in conjunction with recovery work as an adult Child of an alcoholic but it could be useful to look at. I will look it out and put the author/s here later. Hugs, D

Hi again, The author of the book I mentioned is Dennis Wholey. He also wrote 'The Courage to change' .- I'm not sure if I've read that one.

Another book I found very interesting and helpful was 'The Artist's Way' by Julia Cameron.

I know books aren't for everyone. ... Daisymay

I can relate. I have some very child like habits and attitudes. Some I don't want to lose but others....oh my.

Right now I am trying to relearn stuff that I learned from a child's perspective and as it turns out may be wrong...gasp!!! How the hell could I ever be wrong??

IMHO, if the bills are getting paid and your obligations are being fulfilled, then there's nothing wrong in living that childhood you never had.
During the ages of 43-47 I was very child like. It drove my wife nuts lol. Yet it felt good and now I'm an adult again. Well.....most of the time lol. I certainly keeps you feeling young. Just enjoy yourself young lady, you'll get there when your ready, Blaine

Hi, it takes time. For me Al-anon and therapy are helping and yes embracing the inner children helps. Recognizing and accepting all my parts (not an easy thing to do) really helps. At least I know which part is active most of the time. That way my adult part can at least talk to the other parts and most of the time is in control.

great post. having recovered i found my personality changing. in my fifties and after my recovery I felt odd. I felt like my emotional maturity was racing to catch with my age. It was if i was stuck at the emotional age of my teens. It is strange but i believe it is like you discribed.

thank you for sharing.

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