everyone has a little person inside of them, most little people are allowed to grow and mature as the outer one does, but in some cases the little person misses out on being able to be a child for some reason, so as the outer person grows the little person is left behind trying to find the things that they need to grow, be it to feel secure, be loved or believed. Once the outer person becomes an adult the gap can sometimes be so great that the inner child begins to scream and shout so loud that the outer person begins to notice the inner childs unhappiness or insecurities. I was told by a therapyst once that you have to listen to the inner child, reassure them that how they are feeling is ok, give hem time to be themselves in a safe place (i used to allow my inner child to come out when i was alone, she liked watching kids tv, drawing, and sucking her fingers whilst cuddling a soft toy!) after a few months of reassuring her whenever she felt scared, lonely etc and letting her be a child in the safety of my home she began to grow, after a few years i think she cought up with the outer me as i rarely feel her now, we are one again.

this in mind try talking to your little inner person, you already know she grew up too quickly, and that she missed out on the love and security that all children need. try being kind to her, listen and reasure her that it is ok to want to be looked after, try showing her you care and are looking after her, find something that gives you/her comfort, be it a soft toy, a duvet day or a treat, anything that works to give you both the feeling of security, allow time for this every week try not to reschedule it, it is ok to say no to things others want/expect you to do in order to give yourself/your inner little 'me time' after all the world will continue whilst you are busy looking after your inner little, just as if you were looking after your external kids! once your inner little realises you understand her needs are looking after and listening to her she will begin to feel secure and begin to grow. humans are like jigsaws, all the pieces must be in place before a complete picture/adult emmerges, if one piece is missing the picture is incomplete, if you find a replacement piece at a later date the incomplete picture can become complete.

ok it may sound crazy suggesting you talk to/lookafter your inner little, but you already do this to some degree everytime you cross the road or have conversations in your head with youself about what you fancy for tea, just be aware of your feelings and reasure yourself they are ok! give it a go, you may be suprised how well it works!!