Are you familiar with THE INNER CHILD? The child within me and I have not been getting along. It all began when my baby sister was born and I was forced into the adult responsibilities too soon. I was only ten years old, but had no time to live my childhood of fun and adventure. Whenever I tried to express my feelings... I was punished by my mother and abused severely, so I shut out my inner child and became ashamed and scared. Sometimes I asked myself, "Why am I alive"?