For me the inner child represents the needs I had during my childhood. In ideal case they would be mostly met and the child can grow as my body does. I believe that when the main needs are not met some part of that child freezes in development waiting for them to be fulfilled even in adult body.
That can represent itself in many ways and people can call it different names.
I can feel the conflict inside of me often when there is some expected adult behaviour which is usually in harmony with my brain but I feel the urge to do something else on deeper level. I used to ignore these urges and act as I was suppose to listening to social standarts and my brain only. What happened is the urges got stronger until I can´t ignore them anymore. I see it as my inner child screaming for my attention.
Of course I can´t do-overs I can´t take the past back and change it but I can stop for a second listen to that needy brat inside of me. I don´t like the needs it has bc it just complicates things but I belive I can´t just ignore it any longer.
For example: I don´t like to be touched but on deeper level I have the urge to be held and I can try to do something about meeting that need.... I can´t meet all of them of course I can go half way with some and grieve the rest. But I have to pay attantion at least.