Life Lessons for the Adult Child

Book excerpt: What is an 'Adult Child'? a child who was forced to take on an 'adult' role in a family that did not have adequate or reliable adult role models an adult who, despite being grown up, has childlike qualities and behaviours that were developed in an unsafe environment During her work as a Life Coach, Judy Klipin began to notice some themes and challenges which are common to many of her clients. At first she was slightly taken aback how many of her clients had limiting beliefs centred on (amongst others) their need to be perfect, their inability to trust themselves and others, and their horror of asking for help. These limiting beliefs seemed to stem from childhoods punctuated by unpredictability, chaos and/or varying degrees of physical, emotional and spiritual neglect, resulting in grown up men and women who are 'Adult Children'.