Reconstructing My Family History
What we have grown up with seems normal and because it is agonizing to face how bad things have been, you may have trouble seeing how your were failed you.
Describe an interaction between you and a paternal figure in your life. How did it go? How much time would you spend with this paternal figure during an average week? What would you spend that time doing? Do you remember receiving warm hugs or being told that he loved you? How healthy was your relationship with your paternal figure? How is it today?
Now repeat the exercise with a maternal figure. How did it go? How much time would you spend with your maternal figure during an average week? What would you spend that time doing? Do you remember receiving warm hugs or being told that she loved you? How healthy was your relationship with your maternal figure? How is it today?
Family Today: A Family of Choice or of Origin?
Think about the alternate family you are creating or would like to create. Who is part of that family now? Who would you like to be part of it? How do you treat each other? How do you spend time together? What kind of things do you like to do? How do you have fun? Describe a celebration with your new family. You create the setting, the theme, the conversation, the activities and the reason for the celebration. Free-write for 20 minutes, let your imagination go this is your fantasy!