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What is the 'Inner Childhood Narrative' ICN?
The "Inner Childhood Narrative" ICN, is the script we use to understand ourselves, others, and the world. Forged in childhood, the ICN is the result of our early attachment experiences and is incredibly impactful, whether we know recognize or not, on our ability to cope with stress and interact with others.
ICN gives us a place to start as it describes the outcome of one's primary caregiving experience that shaped the script as we sought 'felt safety' and connection. It conditioned us to develop certain strategies and belief systems that often hinder our authenticity and confidence in adulthood.
Our ICN was developed as we concluded our sense of worth as we experienced the cycle of needs throughout early childhood. We carry these conclusions with us as copying patterns and guideposts for living.
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There are many risk factors that can distort the ICN in childhood such as a stressful prenatal experience, a traumatic or difficult birth, early hospitalization &/or painful procedures, loss of a caregiver (death, adoption, divorce, illness, foster care, incarceration, etc.,) abuse, physical and emotional neglect, and complex developmental trauma.
​Understanding your ICN and its origins, is the first step in self-awareness and in the identification maladaptive coping patterns and false beliefs that may be keeping you from living your best life as your authentic self.
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Without doing this healing work, many are trapped in the brokenness of childhood stories, unable to free themselves or connect to others in a healthy and genuine way. Sadly, many mothers tell me that they find themselves being reactive, angry, and sad in their parenting role and know it is somehow connected to their own childhood but are unsure how to stop the cycle.
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It has been my life's work as a therapist to help children, and
'adult children' recognize and transform their ICN so that they
can break free from limiting beliefs and find new ways to connect to themselves, to others, and to their stories.
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It is my goal to help others understand that its not only what happens in childhood, but how we made sense of what happened, that matters. Like our own personal dragon, we can transform the power of our Inner Childhood Narrative, if we can first name it and tame it.​​​
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Can you relate?
OVERWHELMED
You question whether you are fit to even be around kids. You're tired and lack the confidence you so desperately need.
LOST
You find yourself in a battle for control and dont' like who you become. You've lost your true and best self in caring for others
EXHAUSTED
Your child's big emotions and behavioral outburst cause you experience overwhelm and confusion about what's happening in you!
What if I told you...
There is ONE childhood story...
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That will impact your calling over all the others.
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That will demand your attention.
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That requires your forgiveness.
There is ONE childhood story...
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That needs to be validated.
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That will influence everything.
There is ONE childhood story...
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That could change the way you lead.
What if I told you...
That ONE childhood story is YOURS.
Hi...
I'm Susan Parker Jones
As a seasoned counselor and Mom, I am confident in my strategies to help children and families, but I wasn't always. I recall feeling lost as I tried to meet the needs of my kids and those I served. What I came to recognize was that my own childhood story was influencing my mindset and reactivity.
I've learned so much over the years as both a Clinician and Adoptive Mom about how to connect with myself and my children in meaningful ways so we both can be equipped to recover from childhood's "hard places."
I wrote The Wholehearted Child to empower adults to develop greater harmony within themselves, as well as the children in their lives, with an approach that applies ancient Enneagram wisdom to modern parenting challenges. I developed the Rooted Life Method to support the work.
Life's journey can hold a lot of "hard places", but if we take the time to root to our truth, we can tame those 'Dragon Messages' from our Inner Childhood Narratives.
