As babies we're born with truth. But we grow and not everyone speaks the truth. Children intuitively know what they’re dealing with and what their struggles are. They live with hope and want the truth. I wanted the truth, to know what was wrong with me and why I looked and presented differently. I wanted to know what my struggles were and why I was failing.
Parents
Parents may believe their parenting is rooted in protection, but without emotional and emotional support with reassurance, children are left more exposed. It isn't enough. Whether a child is disabled or not, it is a parent’s responsibility to ensure their children have everything they need to grow and thrive. By talking things through, parents are being honest and as a result will begin to normalise their children’s issues. Where parents are honest with their children, their children will grow up to be honest back. While I grew to be honest, I've had to fight for mental health.
Helicopter Parenting
I’ve talked about helicopter parenting in one of my earlier blogs, but this type of parenting opens children up to a life of uncertainties beyond their adult years. It’s a parent’s job to help their children develop the tools they need to cope in their adult lives, and helping children cope, starts with honesty.
I Needed to Know the Truth
I would have been more equipped to deal with my disability, had I have been given the truth and had my parents been honest. Both when used from an early discourage ignorance and support mindfulness and learning.
Hearing the truth about myself, would have brought about honest dialogue from both of my parents. Struggle isn't strong enough to describe how I coped.
You know how you were hurt by the lies you were surrounded by in your childhood, and have lived the repercussions of those lies ever since.
My view as a parent is always to go with even a simplified version of the truth. The simple truth I know is that lies hurt, but the truth heals.
Thank you. Your last paragraph resonates deeply with me.
Where you say, 'the simple truth I know is that lies hurt, but the truth heals' - lies hurt and break your spirit, particularly if you're living with a different version of your disability that you later find out is different again.
The truth although hard to listen to, gets easier when you bring understanding and I have that now. If I was to ask my inner child what I needed the most in those times, it would come back with three things, truth, honesty and emotional support.
Although hearing the truth can be difficult, it is liberating when you finally get it. We must still work on truth and it starts in childhood with our parents.