How to keep your inner child feeling safe, and how to comfort them when they have been triggered

---

This is a difficult topic for me, but here are some of my ideas that I hope might help.

I think prevention is often better than cure, so where possible, especially in the early stages of getting to know your little, it is wise to be sure that your little is safely tucked away if you are going to do or read something that could trigger them, or at least be sure to tell them that they may not like what you are about to do.

Many ideas for helping your little to feel safe can be taken from “Ideas to Help Your Little to Feel Loved and Wanted”, and if your little is just feeling low, or not quite themselves, playing with them, or doing their favorite thing can often cheer them up. Cuddling a teddy can be very comforting, and helps to calm your little.

However, if the problem is more serious, and your little is in a lot of distress, this can be very distressing for you too. Should this happen, the best thing I have found to do is first try to listen to what your inner child is saying. Sometimes it will be as simple as “I’m scared”. As adults, if we are afraid, we need to know what it is we are scared of, but children can be afraid, and really not know why. Most times, though your little will have read or seen something that has triggered them to remember something. This memory feels very real, sometimes to you both, but you must try to stay calm, and sooth your inner child. Tell them you love them, and that they are safe. The memory is in the past, and cannot hurt them physically, and by talking about it openly, you can both work through it, and make sure the memory doesn’t come back again.

If your inner child is finding it difficult to tell you why they are scared or upset, try allowing them to draw what is upsetting them. A small chalkboard and some chalks could be a good investment, as once the triggering topic has been drawn, it can be washed away, or maybe it would better suit him/her to draw it on paper, tear it apart, and throw it away. Just choose whichever your inner child would feel more comfortable with.

Reassure him/her that the person, or people in the memory are not around any more, and cannot touch them again. Give your inner child a hug. Just ’see’ where he/she is inside you, wrap your arms around them and comfort them. Once they have calmed down a bit, try watching a favourite TV show, or reading a book, anything that means you can still be concentrating on being with your inner child, while at the same time helping to take their mind off their fear.



first written by Twilight  (aest forums member/moderator)
with help from Moonbeam (innerchild)

How to keep your inner child feeling safe

---

---

---

This section is currently been updated. Some pages will have moved or may look different.

---

---