Difficulty showing emotion

I’ve tried to work out why this. Is it down to the fact that in my childhood I had become desensitised to showing my feelings due to the fact that I grew up in a very dysfunctional family. One which saw its fair share of violence and alcohol abuse.

I find I only cry when it relates to either my wife, for example when we got married or when my children were born. I assume this is a good thing and that those close to me bring out my emotions in a positive way.

I have often asked myself if this is normal because I don’t consider myself hard. In fact I think I’m very much a soft touch. Although that would only be with a few people (my wife, children and my mum).

I don’t cuddle those I love easily. Is this because I grew up in an environment of basically no cuddling and just an attitude of get on with it?

I think my upbringing left me at times void of emotion.

Looking back I can’t ever remember having a cuddle from my father. That is just so sad because I do take the opportunity to cuddle my children and tell them I love them.

I guess as a child you want to know you are loved and wanted. That’s something that I never felt from my father.

My mother was always there for me, but just not the sort of person to show emotion towards me.

I tell my wife everyday at least once that I love her and to me that simple statement just gives you a feeling of warmth and love for each other.

Some days I wish I wore my heart on my sleeve more, but I suppose we are all different and have different ways of displaying our emotions

It’s interesting that today I found out my 17 year old daughter has been offered a placement at Southampton university and I was speaking to my oldest daughter on the phone about it when it suddenly dawned on me that should she go she’ll be moving away from home.

I just broke down. All of sudden I couldn’t get my head around it. She’s grown up !!