Why do ACoAs have difficulty having fun?
Why do ACoAs have difficulty having fun?
Many ACoAs come to realize that they had very little fun in their childhood (though it may be of equal challenge to uncover whenever there may have been actual moments of fun and to begin to note these.) Many look back and feel that they were robbed of a childhood.
It can be a challenge to start to identify the Inner Child part, especially if this part has been lost, quiet, scared and confused for quite some time. Children in alcoholic homes regularly felt like the “other shoe was going to drop”. They then take this feeling into their adult lives and feel it’s difficult to let loose, for fear of losing control, lacking safety or that something bad will happen because the positive feelings can’t last.
When the Adult Child does get in contact with the Inner Child, they can begin to offer gentle reparenting as well as opportunities to connect with genuine needs for fun, spontaneity, and creativity.
The Inner Child might ask to ride a carousel– and the request is granted! The Inner Child might want to have a spontaneous playdate with a friend and go to an outdoor movie– and the request is granted! The ACoA can finally start to have permission to have fun.
