What would be an "ideal" childhood?

The five As, our original needs, are the qualities of a holding environment: attention, acceptance, appreciation, affection, and allowing.

These five qualities foster secure attachment — both in childhood and in adult relationships. Fortunately, as children, all it takes for safety and security is to have our needs satisfied with good enough parenting. We do not need perfection, nor is it possible.

In an "ideal" childhood, the following ideals apply either to one or both of your parents:

You felt that your parents, or at least one of them, directed an engaged focus on you.

You felt they were paying mindful attention to you with no judgment or reproach of you.

They looked not at you, but into you to know your feelings and needs.

They asked you........

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