Homecoming: Reclaiming and Championing Your Inner Child

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Using a wealth of practical techniques, informative case histories and unique questionnaires, John Bradshaw demonstrates how your wounded inner child may be causing you pain. You'll learn to gradually, safely, go back to reclaim and nurture that inner child - and literally help yourself grow up again. Homecoming shows you how to:

Validate your inner child through meditations and affirmations
Give your child permission to break destructive family roles and rules
Adopt new rules allowing pleasure and honest self-expression
Deal with anger and difficult relationships
Pay attention to your innermost purpose and desires...and find new joy and energy in living.

304 pages, Paperback

First published September 1,1984

About the author

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Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

John Bradshaw has been called "America's leading personal growth expert." The author of five New York Times bestsellers, Bradshaw On: The Family, Healing the Shame That Binds You, Homecoming, Creating Love, and Family Secrets. He created and hosted four nationally broadcast PBS television series based on his best-selling books. John pioneered the concept of the "Inner Child" and brought the term "dysfunctional family" into the mainstream. He has touched and changed millions of lives through his books, television series, and his lectures and workshops around the country.

During the past twenty-five years he has worked as a counselor, theologian, management consultant, and public speaker, becoming one of the primary figures in the contemporary self-help movement.


Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
37(37%)
4 stars
34(34%)
3 stars
29(29%)
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100 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
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The best book I have ever come across for inner child work is truly remarkable. It has the power to bring about a profound and life-changing transformation. This book delves deep into the recesses of our hearts and souls, addressing the often overlooked and wounded inner child within us. It provides valuable insights, practical exercises, and gentle guidance to help us heal those old wounds and reconnect with our true selves. Through reading this book, I have discovered a newfound sense of self-love, acceptance, and inner peace. It has taught me to embrace my past, forgive myself and others, and move forward with a newfound sense of purpose and authenticity. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is a must-read for anyone who is seeking to heal their inner child and embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

July 15,2025
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There is no doubt that I feel this reading is necessary in order to truly understand who we are, where we come from, and what our real purposes in life are once we have retrieved our child who still remains camouflaged within the body of an adult.

We often go through life without really delving deep into these fundamental questions. But when we start to explore and reflect upon them, it can lead to a profound transformation within us.

This reading serves as a catalyst for that self-discovery process. It helps us to peel back the layers of our conditioning and see ourselves and the world around us with fresh eyes.

By understanding our true nature and purpose, we can make more conscious choices and live a more fulfilling life. So, I highly recommend this reading to anyone who is seeking greater self-awareness and a deeper understanding of life.

July 15,2025
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I think I have a much better understanding of myself and others now. This remarkable book has truly transformed me into a better person. I now have a deeper awareness of my own feelings and no longer have the urge to flee from them. Although I haven't completed the entire work, as the author has suggested I do, I know it will take time. However, whatever small amount of work I have done so far has definitely paid off. This was precisely the book that I needed at this point in my life, and I have relished every single bit of it. It has opened my eyes to new perspectives and has given me the courage to face my inner self. I look forward to continuing my journey with this book and seeing where it takes me.

July 15,2025
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This was by far the most helpful and therapeutic book on healing that I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

It has proven to be more beneficial to me than any previous therapy sessions, meditation practices, or other modalities that I have experimented with.

The exercises presented within its pages are intense, yet they are an absolute necessity if one truly desires to assist their inner child.

By doing so, it becomes possible to break free from the adult patterns and behaviors that are no longer serving us.

I have already recommended this remarkable book to every adult I know who is dedicated to their own healing journey.

I fully intend to continue the inner child work that this book has so kindly helped me to begin.

It has truly been a life-changing experience, and I cannot wait to see the further progress and growth that lies ahead.
July 15,2025
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Bradshaw’s ‘Home Coming’

offers a profound exploration into the journey of reclaiming one’s inner children. It details the process of establishing a connection and integrating the younger aspects of the self through meaningful conversation and meditation.

This remarkable book delves deep into the origin of numerous psychological issues, namely childhood wounds. By doing so, the author presents a practical and nurturing approach to rebuilding the crucial bond with our younger selves.

What I truly appreciate about this book is that it provides inner-child exercises that readers can readily apply. Inner-child work holds immense significance as it allows us to heal past traumas and embrace our true selves.

‘Home Coming’ serves as an excellent resource for learning and practicing inner-child work, guiding us towards a path of self-discovery and emotional well-being.

It is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand and heal the inner child within.
July 15,2025
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Bradshaw presents excellent and practical suggestions for establishing a connection with the inner child.

However, his cultural references seem a bit outdated. For instance, when he urges readers to think about the situation of gay people, it might not resonate as strongly in today's more inclusive and diverse society.

Also, when referring to higher powers, he only uses the concept of a Judeo-Christian God, which may limit the applicability and appeal of his ideas to those from different religious or spiritual backgrounds.

Due to these reasons, I find myself hesitant to recommend this to others.

Although the practical suggestions themselves may have some value, the outdated cultural references could potentially cause misunderstandings or make the content seem less relevant and accessible to a wider audience.

It would be beneficial if Bradshaw could update his cultural references to better reflect the current social and cultural landscape, thereby making his work more engaging and useful for a diverse range of readers.

July 15,2025
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Inner child recovery involves going back in time to successive stages of development and resolving problems that still remain unresolved. This process can be both challenging and rewarding. By revisiting past experiences, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the events that have shaped them. It allows them to heal emotional wounds, release negative emotions, and develop a more positive self-image. Inner child recovery often requires patience, self-compassion, and a willingness to face difficult emotions. It may involve techniques such as meditation, journaling, and therapy. Through this process, individuals can learn to listen to the needs of their inner child and provide the love and support that they may have lacked in the past. By doing so, they can create a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

July 15,2025
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This book marked the commencement of a long and arduous journey, that of coming home.

It served as a guiding light, teaching me the art of gradually extricating myself from the clutches of decades of guilt-tripping and manipulative parental behaviors.

Moreover, it kindled my interest in delving deeper into the realm of immature parents.

I perused this book several years ago, and as vividly as I can recall, it presented the subject matter in a more matter-of-fact manner rather than being accusatory or finger-pointing.

It provided valuable insights and practical strategies that enabled me to better understand and deal with the complex dynamics within my family.

Overall, this book has had a profound impact on my life and has set me on a path of self-discovery and healing.

It is truly a remarkable piece of work that I would highly recommend to anyone who has struggled with similar issues.

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