“Children don’t get traumatized because they get hurt; children get traumatized because they’re alone with the hurt”
— Gabor Mate
Simplified Meaning:
When kids get hurt or go through something painful, it's not always the pain itself that causes lasting emotional damage. The real problem happens when they have to deal with that pain all by themselves, without anyone to comfort or support them. Imagine if a child falls and scrapes their knee. If a caring adult is there to hug them, clean the wound, and assure them everything will be okay, the child feels safe and eventually feels better. But if there's no one to help, the child might feel scared, lonely, and unsure if they'll ever be okay again. Over time, this loneliness creates deeper emotional scars than the physical injury ever could. So, having a trusted person to talk to and share feelings with makes a big difference in healing emotional wounds. It's important for caregivers and parents to be present and supportive when children are upset, helping them feel understood and not alone.