-
My dad (age thirty-nine) has unresolved wounds from his relationship with my mother and has never been able to fully move on and share his life with another. In Erikson’s sixth stage, intimacy versus isolation, the conflict is his my mom poisoned him at the end of his adolescence, since I was born, with negative treatment and he has spent years building himself back up before he is in any position to build another romantic relationship.
-
My mom (age thirty-nine) has made a decision to have another kid resulting in regret, post-partum depression, and a mid-life crisis. Rather than viewing raising children as generativity, she feels stagnant and wishes to have free time. In Erikson's seventh stage, generativity versus stagnation, she will still have stagnant feelings but due to her lack of societal involvement rather than her lack of free time.
-
Nayeli (age two) is choosing her favorite snacks and insisting she wears our mom’s heels. In Erikson’s second stage, autonomy versus shame/doubt, the conflict is her budding independent personality and her parent's enforced practicalism. Though a pink tutu isn't fitting for winter attire, our family should be mindful of supporting her independent personality.
