by Malaysia M. Johnson
Many of us enter adulthood carrying unhealed wounds from childhood. These invisible injuries shape our relationships, reactions, and self-worth — even when we don’t realize it. This is the experience of the adult child: someone who had to grow up too fast, wasn’t emotionally supported, or learned to survive instead of thrive.
But growth is possible. And it starts with understanding the patterns, reparenting ourselves, and intentionally breaking cycles.
What Does It Mean to Be an Adult Child?
Being an adult child doesn’t mean you’re immature — it means you’re still operating from survival habits formed during childhood. You might:
- Over-apologize or over-explain
- Fear abandonment but keep people at arm’s length
- Avoid conflict but carry deep resentment
- Struggle with boundaries or self-identity
These are trauma responses — not personality traits.
3 Steps to Grow From Being an Adult Child
1. Name the Pattern
Growth starts with awareness. What patterns did you pick up in childhood that no longer serve you? People-pleasing? Avoiding hard conversations? Emotional shutdown?
2. Reparent Yourself With Compassion
Start giving yourself what you didn’t get: validation, patience, rest, and unconditional care. Your inner child needs to feel safe with you first.
3. Break the Cycle With Intention
Whether you’re parenting children or just yourself, your healing impacts future generations. You’re choosing peace, stability, and emotional maturity — on purpose.
Final Thought
You’re not broken. You’re healing.
You don’t have to keep surviving — you’re allowed to grow.
