How Parents can Contribute to our Mental Wellbeing [or Lack Thereof]
As a child who grew up in a Jamaican family, I was told that children were to be seen but not heard. I’m guessing that’s what most Black, African-American, and Latin-American children were taught growing up in dysfunctional families. Of course, parents from different cultures found different ways of putting it. For instance, your parents may have said,
“When we go in this store, don’t be asking me for nothing, don’t touch nothing, as a matter of fact, don’t even look at nothing”.
Okay, let’s be fair. I’ve never heard a parent say not to even look at anything. Nevertheless, it seems as though we all got the same message when we were growing up. Regardless of how our parents phrased it, many of us had our voices silenced when we were children.
You see, children were not, and still are not, allowed to have a voice. To have a say so. To set boundaries. To express themselves verbally or otherwise.
Do you feel like you were once that child who never felt seen, heard, or understood?
Here’s one thing parents sometimes fail to realize. They’re not just raising children. They’re raising human beings with thoughts and feelings. Thoughts and feelings that deserve to be expressed. Not suppressed. What parents sometimes fail to realize is that their children, whose voices they’re suppressing, will grow up to be an adult one day.
Now that’s what they’re really raising. An adult. Technically, you’re only a child for 17 years. If you’re blessed to see a century, that’s 83 years of being an adult. Even if your last day living occurs when you’re 57, you still spent 40 years of your life as an adult and only 17 years as a child.
The point is, a child without a voice grows up to become an adult without a voice. An adult who doesn’t have experience…
setting healthy boundaries
expressing their desires
or articulating how they feel emotionally
This leads to an adult living a life filled with…
Anxiety
Depression
People Pleasing Tendencies
Irritability
Anger Management Issues
Unprocessed Trauma
and many other mental health concerns
Do You Feel Misunderstood as an Adult?
Do you resonate with what you read so far? Do you feel like you were once that child who never felt seen, heard, or understood? If so, feel free to reach out to me via my contact information to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation. You may greatly benefit from mental health therapy based on your childhood experience. Especially if you’re now an adult who doesn’t feel seen, heard, or understood…
At Work
With Your…
Colleagues
Boss
Supervisor
or Manager
At Home
With Your…
Romantic Partner
Children
Parents
Extended Family
or Amongst Your Friends
Shoutout To Parents Encouraging Their Children to Express Their Feelings
Before ending this blog post, I would like to just send a huge shoutout to the parents out there who are being the opposite of what I described previously.
Kudos to the parents who encourage their children to speak up set boundaries, and express themselves. A round of applause to the parents out there who are taking the time to make sure their child feels “seen” and understood.
All acknowledgment is due to the parents who are not only putting their children in therapy but going to therapy themselves.
All the praise goes out to the parents who are sincerely doing their best. Thank you for all that you do.
If you are an adult who…
comes from a dysfunctional family
feels as though your parents have contributed to your mental health concerns
is currently experiencing…
anxiety
depression
trauma
irritability
anger management issues
people pleasing tendencies
perfectionistic traits
a difficult time setting boundaries
is currently living in the state of Florida, USA
whether that be…
Fort Lauderdale
Miami
West Palm Beach
Broward County
or somewhere else
and are ready to start receiving some support from an online therapist in Florida
… then feel free to get in contact with me to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation.
How Do I Get Started with Online Therapy in Broward County, FL?
Ready to start prioritizing your mental health? I invite you to start your healing journey by exploring the vast options of online therapy available at Darryon’s Counseling Services, LLC.
By connecting with me, Darryon C Spencer, a black, male therapist, I will be able to provide you with personalized support you deserve, all from the comfort of your own home.
Start Online Counseling in Broward County, FL by following these 3 simple steps:
Start receiving the support that you deserve. Support that will give you your voice back!
Other Services Offered by Darryon C. Spencer, LMHC
Darryon C Spencer, LMHC understands that you may be experiencing more than one mental health concern. This is why I also provide services at my Florida practice for…
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