Part of healing is mourning the childhood you should have had — the safety, love, and care that were missing. It is not weakness to grieve what you lost. It is strength to acknowledge the wound, honor your inner child, and give yourself the tenderness you once needed.
Many survivors of trauma or toxic families feel guilty for longing for a better past. But grief is a natural part of healing. By acknowledging unmet needs and practicing re-parenting, you offer your inner child the compassion they were denied. Healing means not erasing the past, but transforming it into wisdom and resilience.
