July 16, 2020,
Family, Fundamental Human Needs, Life, Love, Relationship 
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As a child grows and has its physical needs met, there is also a fundamental need to feel safe from harm – bodily and emotionally. As with all of these fundamental needs, this need remains the same throughout life.
“Safety” here means the knowledge that someone—your parents when you were a child, and your partner when you are in an adult relationship—will always be there for you. You need to feel that this person will always be a “soft place” on whom to fall when you need someone the most, but also in good times as well as in times of distress.
For Beth and Roger, it’s about knowing that they are always there for each other, whether as someone offering greetings as the other comes home late from a day’s outing, or someone to be a defender when one partner is being attacked physically or verbally by someone else. In the story in the previous article, when Roger hears Beth’s distress at her child’s decision to not be in attendance at the birthday celebration, and on realizing how upset she is, he could offer some words of reassurance.
Alternatively, Roger could take it upon himself to speak with their child to let him know how upset his mother is at his response, and to encourage him to reconsider his decision.
A word of caution here: it would not be helpful for Roger to take this latter course of action for Beth in the belief that she cannot do it for herself. In any event, it could be advisable for Roger to speak with Beth first to check that she is OK for him to step up on her behalf. This allows him to take care of her while it lets her feel cared for.
Add your comment regarding Beth and Rogers reactions to the situation they now found themselves in. I’m curious to hear what you think.
To the wonder of you,
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