Let’s say Aaron, a two year old out shopping with his dad, wanders off in the shopping center. Dad needs Aaron to learn that this is unsafe, so Aaron is told that he or she shouldn’t do it. Very often, … Continued
There are a couple of other considerations regarding script development that should not be overlooked. First, I use the word “decision” broadly to describe decisions made both in or outside of conscious awareness, including those made by every child even … Continued
From the moment of your conception, you were already making distinct self-interested and self-aware decisions for and about yourself as well as about others. By the time you were eight years old, you were beginning to make major decisions not … Continued
You might even think that if only the other person could change or be more like they used to be when you first met, then everything would be OK. On the other hand, you might distract yourself by having an … Continued
Couples who come into my office are often surprised that the partners they fell in love with seem to have become quite different people. Sometimes, knowing the mistakes their parents made in their relationships, couples have openly vowed not to … Continued
As I now understand it as an adult, one of my script beliefs came to be that my needs are not important. I felt that I was only as good as the cog in the wheel that drove the machine … Continued
One important lesson to learn here is that because your script for life and the rules or guidelines it contains are subconsciously passed on to you, you are most likely to copy exactly what your parents do, even if what … Continued
I invite you to pause your reading here and think for a moment about what all this really means for you. As a baby, your very survival depended on your parents (or whoever was responsible for caring for you). So, … Continued
For many reasons, somewhere along the way you may decide to live your life based on an alternate set of values, beliefs, attitudes, and rules. As I believe was my experience, you then have the capacity to create a new … Continued
We learn about our sexuality—acting male or female—from the parent of our own sex, but we learn about our sensuality—being feminine or masculine—in our relationship with our parent of the opposite sex. Let me add what is actually an inconsistency … Continued