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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents summary
Lindsay C. Gibson
How to Heal from Difficult, Rejecting, or Self-involved Parents
17 mins
Table of Contents
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents
Summary of 6 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 6
A lack of emotional intimacy results in profound loneliness for both children and adults.
Before we begin, take a moment to think about your childhood. What words would you use to describe your experience? How do you feel when you think back to that time?
If you grew up with an emotionally immature parent, there’s a good chance that you have lingering feelings of anger, betrayal, and loneliness. You may even feel uneasy or ashamed for feeling this way.
True emotional intimacy means that you feel safe enough to communicate your deepest feelings to someone. It is a profoundly fulfilling part of human relationships that makes us feel seen for who we truly are. Without it, both children and adults can experience deep feelings of loneliness.
Emotional loneliness can be an isolating experience, especially when it stems from childhood neglect. If one or both of your parents were not mature enough to provide adequate emotional support, you probably felt the effects – even if you didn’t understand what was happening at the time.
When we don’t receive the emotional connections we need as children, we can grow into adults with a lack of security and an overall weak sense of self. While invisible on the outside, these wounds can be just as painful as any physical injury.
What most people don’t know is that these feelings of pain and loneliness are actually a good thing. They are our body's way of sending us the message that we desire an emotional connection. In fact, we have a strong biological need to have emotional closeness with others.
Throughout human history, being part of a group has always meant security. Even our earliest ancestors were more likely to survive when they enjoyed the safety of being close to one another.
Once you begin listening to your emotions instead of pushing them away, you’ll be able to form more genuine, authentic connections. Being able to identify the root cause of your emotional loneliness is the first step toward healing.
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What is Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents about?
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents (2015) exposes the negative impacts that many adults face as the result of growing up with distant, rejecting, or self-involved parents. From demystifying the behavior of emotionally immature caregivers to providing practical tools for personal growth, it’s a step-by-step guide to healing old wounds and embracing a more positive future.
Who should read Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents?
- Adult children of emotionally immature parents
- Parents who want to be more emotionally mature for their children
- Anyone interested in the dynamics of family psychology
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