Reparenting Our Wounded Child towards Peace, Lynne Forrest.

"The way our parents responded to us as children was based on factors beyond our control. Sometimes our relationship with family is based pure and simply upon where we are in the birth order. Sure, there are other factors; for instance the way parents relate to each other, including how they meet their own needs -- not to mention each child’s unique personality. These factors certainly play a part in how family members interact with each other, however, it is widely recognized among family system professionals that a first born child will be received very differently than a second and so on.

When our emotional and physical needs are met as children we grow up believing that we have a right to be here and that we are capable, lovable and able to take care of ourselves. But getting those personal needs met depends on how well the needs of the family have been met. Inevitably the needs of the 'system' (family unit) will take priority over the individuals within it. The system needs are essential for a family’s functioning and survival and they will be met even if it means ruthlessly sacrificing the well-being of the children. The family unit is most important because it provides a sort of check and balance that stabalizes and holds things together." ~says Forrest, a non-traditional practitioner who through twenty three years of experience in private practice has developed a unique work oriented to coming into right relationship with ourselves, to explore how our unhappy beliefs about self and the world are formulated as a result of our early childhood confusion and resultant wounding.