Thread by @jcstaff_, There is a child-self inside each of us, and connecting with that [...]

There is a child-self inside each of us, and connecting with that aspect of self can be a really helpful tool in helping us heal.

This is the part of self that began developing with our early brain development, that helped us make early sense of the world.
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Children learn through playing, so our inner child is often associated with adults' playful side.

As we grow, society demands we pull away from childhood behaviours, including play. However, ask any adult who's been to a waterpark - that sense of fun can return! #sexabusechat

For children who experienced abuse or neglect in childhood, their inner child's natural course of development was derailed by trauma. As well, childhood memories which most children enjoyed, may be painful.
#sexabusechat

So, how do survivors of childhood sexual abuse access their inner child in a way which feels safe, and not retraumatizing? #sexabusechat

Firstly, why does it even matter that we reach our inner child? It matters because that part of self is often hurt/wounded after abuse, and carrying that hurt can affect our self-image into adulthood.
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A detached relationship with our inner child can also affect our ability to trust ourselves in making safe, healthy relationships.

As well, some may carry self-blame for the child they once were which can hamper healing it . And it was never the child's fault.
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So, reaching our inner child DOES matter, and connecting with that part of ourselves on a deeper level can be very important.
#sexabusechat

There are many ways to do this, depending on what your childhood experiences were. If survivors can access in their memory a time prior to abuse, when they felt safe and happy, even it is just while at school, or Grandma's, that is a start.
#sexabusechat

Then, imagining ourselves in that place, recalling funny stories with other children we spent time with having fun, and talking about those times either with our partner, a friend, or a therapist.
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If it is not possible to recall any safe moments, which may be difficult for those who experienced abuse from very young, then looking at pictures of other young children having fun, or reading articles about early child development can help.
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......I mean the adults reading the articles, not the young children reading articles about early child development....

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Photos or videos of little children jumping in puddles on a rainy day, or licking cake batter from a bowl are all over the internet these days. And those are normal, happy, childhood activities.
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Once we have considered what that early play can look like, finding an enjoyable activity that we can do on our own, or with others just for fun is a great way to connect with and engage our inner child.
#sexabusechat

We should have mentioned, of course, that if you have young children in your life, either relatives or friends' children, hanging out with them for 15 minutes will show you what all this can look like!
#sexabusechat

This can be joining your own children for a round of keepy-uppy with a balloon, or perhaps treating yourself to a colouring book. There is a huge market for adult coloring books nowadays, so this is clearly a "thing"!
#sexabusechat

Children are mostly joy-seekers, and following that impulse to look for fun can be very uplifting, and can improve our low mood.
#sexabusechat

If we have a disconnected relationship with our child-self, which is often the case with childhood abuse and unprocessed trauma, then reaching our inner child and making peace with that small person can be both difficult and yet essential.
#sexabusechat

Although the holidays can be a challenging time for many reasons, finding ways to connect to your inner child at this time may be a good distraction. Decorate some sugar cookies to take into work. Buy a naughty elf and play tricks on your family. Any other ideas?
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