Alena K. (EII) - intolerance of quarrels in the family

The emotional atmosphere in the family matters a lot. It is a kind of nightmare when there are scandals, quarrels, and misunderstandings at home… for me, that was probably the most frightening thing. If my parents had disagreements, I took it very hard. When I was very little, I would try to join their hands so they would stay together… later, I would simply suffer quietly on my own. Moments like these stay with you for a long time.

<...> Every child should feel loved, wanted, and completely unique. I grew up with a very tender soul; I can’t say whether that’s good or bad. But any conflict at home was a tragedy for me.

I grew up with my grandfather’s fairy tales, my grandmother’s pies, and my parents’ immense love. It was a perfect world, and whenever cracks appeared in it, I took them very hard. Love gives strength and confidence.

And explaining the reasons for a conflict, breaking it down in detail (sometimes even thoroughly, although that didn’t really happen in my case), helps one understand and accept reality instead of floating somewhere in the clouds.