I don't think this emotional hunger only happens with a parent who is over-involved, anxious, or needy. My parents were emotionally neglectful and didn't get involved nearly enough in my life. According to my dad's words, they "didn't try to train or direct us, just let us be whatever we were."

I felt alone with all my problems growing up. I never really felt loved by either parent. They didn't seem very interested in my thinking or feelings, or even what happened when i went out with friends. My parents weren't terrible people, not mean, but just didn't seem like parents. They were gone alot, and when home, they did their own thing. My sister and I were just there. My mom was really excited about and focused on her job, and my dad mostly ignored us unless he was angry or critical about something we'd done wrong.

Both my parents were young parents, and both had been the youngest in their family. I don't think either one of them had any experience even being around younger siblings. I always felt that they didn't especially like children or being parents, even though they went through the motions.

I've been hungry for parent figures all my life. . .