Homecoming: Reclaiming and Championing Your Inner Child [Paperback]

John Bradshaw (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 1, 1992

Are you outwardly successful but inwardly do you feel like a big kid? Do you aspire to be a loving parent but all too often “lose it” in hurtful ways? Do you crave intimacy but sometimes wonder if it’s worth the struggle? Or are you plagued by constant vague feelings of anxiety or depression?

If any of this sounds familiar, you may be experiencing the hidden but damaging effects of a painful childhood—carrying within you a “wounded inner child” that is crying out for attention and healing.

In this powerful book, John Bradshaw shows how we can learn to nurture that inner child, in essence offering ourselves the good parenting we needed and longed for. Through a step-by-step process of exploring the unfinished business of each developmental stage, we can break away from destructive family rules and roles and free ourselves to live responsibly in the present. Then, says Bradshaw, the healed inner child becomes a source of vitality, enabling us to find new joy and energy in living.

Homecoming includes a wealth of unique case histories and interactive techniques, including questionnaires, letter-writing to the inner child, guided meditations, and affirmations. Pioneering when introduced, these classic therapies are now being validated by new discoveries in attachment research and neuroscience. No one has ever brought them to a popular audience more effectively and inspiringly than John Bradshaw.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Bradshaw was educated for the Roman Catholic priesthood and took advanced degrees in psychology, philosophy, and theology before becoming a professional counselor. He is the author of such major bestsellers as Family Secrets, Healing the Shame That Binds You, Homecoming, and Creating Love. He lives in Houston, Texas, and gives lectures and workshops nationwide.

From AudioFile

This is a hefty dose of Bradshaw on recovering from dysfunction. To be expected in such a long program, some of his favorite jokes and many of his favorite authors and theories come up repeatedly. Since the presentation is taped from live lectures, audience noises are clearly audible. The listener hears other groups doing an exercise at the same time, laughing, applause and sometimes sobbing. A word of caution, the work on "original pain" on tape two is an extremely intense recollection of abuse. Processing this with someone is recommended. With his unplaceable accent, Bradshaw delights audiences on a topic anyone can ponder. A.G.H. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Bantam; Bantam Paperback Edition March 1992 edition (February 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553353896
• ISBN-13: 978-0553353891
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.8 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,452 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Self-Help > Inner Child
  • #34 in Books > Self-Help > Relationships > Interpersonal Relations
  • #62 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Spirituality > Personal Transformation

More About the Author

John Bradshaw was educated for the Roman Catholic priesthood and took advanced degrees in psychology, philosophy, and theology before becoming a professional counselor. He is the author of such major bestsellers as Family Secrets, Healing the Shame That Binds You, Homecoming, and Creating Love. He lives in Houston, Texas, and gives lectures and workshops nationwide.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

149 of 152 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Homecoming by John Bradshaw October 18, 2000

By C E

Format:Paperback

John Bradshaw's "Family", "Healing the Shame that Binds You" and "Homecoming" changed my life. The first showed me where I came from and how I got to be the way I was. It gave me understanding, and the knowledge that I wasn't crazy and hopeless. I was taught to be that way.

The second book helped me to identify the specific ways it all happened, to remember it, and then it gave me hope that I could unlearn it all and be retrained. I could learn ways to change things to make things better.

The third book gave me direction, and tools to correct my behaviors and dysfunctional behaviors, and the ability to change my life. To really heal, without fear.

Now years later, I am happy and doing very well.

I whole-heartedly recommend these three books to anyone that is having any relationship problems or childhood issues, any type of addiction or codependent issues, feelings of inadequacy, insecurity or loss of self esteem.

In these books, there is knowledge that will heal you, there is hope to change, there is courage to gain and there is a better life.

My gratitude to you, Mr. John Bradshaw!

CE

49 of 51 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a must read! October 20, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

If you are tired of going around in circles with addictions, self conflicts and other things that have developed from your childhood.... this book is for you. John Bradshaw shows us how we have come to be in the place we are in at this stage of life. He shows how to stop the cycles of repeating the same negative things over and over. He shows how we all played a roll in the family and where we might have been in that roll. Why we are alcholics.. care takers... over achivers... or other addictions in life. He helps us to tune into that small self that still remains in us... even as adults. His technic of using the inner child to write with the non-perdominate hand is something unique in it's nature. He takes us from toddler stage thru to the self we are today. This book covers all kinds of things that have happened to many in life... like abandonment issues... children of alcholics and the roll each individual plays... the sexually abused... and many other issues that many of us have today. If you are wanting to stop the cycle and live a more productive and positive way? If you are willing to work at seeing how and why you came to be where you are now? Then this book is for you. It is of a greater benifit to have a counsler. Hoping this books helps all as much as it has helped me! Many wishes of campassion and happiness to all!

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My therapist was right again! December 13, 2012

By Marlene Montgomery

Format:Paperback

This book was "prescribed" to me by my group therapist after she felt I was being disruptive in the group discussions. She called what I was doing an "inner child tantrum". I thought she was rude and I was really offended. But, I got the damn book anyway and to my surprise SHE WAS RIGHT. This inner child stuff is really powerful! I love the new insight into my behavior. So much so that I picked up another book listed under "inner child" that caught my attention. It's called Superhero Success. A fun read that reminded me of who I was as a child and how I wished I would have had a dad like the one in the book to teach me success thinking. Even if this concept seems a little out there to you don't discount it. This inner child stuff maybe just what you need.