Thursday, January 7, 2010

Guilty of Inattention

In many homes, parents are not criminally negligent or abusive, but they may be guilty of being inattentive to less obvious emotional needs. This may be the case in your family. Your parents may provide a safe, healthy environment in which to live and care for your physical well-being. But you may struggle to get along, because they don't seem to understand that you need more than three meals a day and a roof over your head to feel loved and accepted.

How about the other important relationships in your life? Are you on great terms with somebody one week and then strangers or enemies the next? Whether you are clashing with your parents, friends, or other people, the issue is the same. You have valid emotional needs, and when those needs are ignored, conflicts arise.

If this describes some of your relationships, it is important that you understand three things. First, it will be helpful for you to know why people are inattentive to some of your needs. Second, you must identify the specific needs in your life that are being overlooked or ignored by others. Third, it is important to understand how to talk to your parents and others about your needs.

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