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Baby is asleep on mom's arms, safe and sound while mom caresses head.

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"The critical theme of infancy is basic trust versus basic mistrust." (Martorell, 13)
Trust vs. Mistrust is the 1st stage of development. The start of this stage is right their birth, till about 12-18, a year into their life. This is so the infant starts to know who to trust in eyes, (mom, dad or parent), verves people who could mislead them into danger (stranger never seen before).
My parents always said I was not only 1st born, but also the fussiest out of the 3 siblings in our apartment growing up. So, it never changed when family came over. According to them, if I wasn't held by my dad or mom, I was wailing at the top, and crying very loudly. They were the only ones who could make me quiet down when I heard their cooing, soothing voice telling me calm down. It did take a while before I was getting used to the visitors coming over to see us. Little by little, my mom and dad would have others carry me. Her brothers, their friends, his aunts or cousins.  And since didn't really have a car, my mom left her brothers in charge of me while she and my dad quickly raced to the Dollar General store, which was a 10-minute walk from the apartment. Even though they complained the first 3 times, by the 4th time, I was staring at them while they were talking about their childhood years or sleeping while they were singing their Banda music, a type of genre the Mexican culture listen to (which I highly recommend!).

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2 year old running towards the camera, mom behind him is keeping an eye, and behind. 

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"Having come through infancy with a sense of basic trust in their world and an awaking self-awareness, toddlers being to substitute their own judgment for their caregivers." (Martorell, 156)
The second stage of development is autonomy vs shame/doubt. This starts at the 18 months of life, to about 3 years of life. They have already established what trust and mistrust is, now it's their balance for what they can/can't do, either by instruction (parent or caregiver) or by what they want to do based on their determination.
Something that surprised my parents a bit, and even took a shock from me, was as an infant, I always wanted to do to be held by mom, dad or anyone I trusted.  But by once my 2-year-old me came into place, I never wanted to be carried unless I wanted a nap. Since our apartment was in one of those apartment buildings that were shared, we had a pretty small neighborhood where you can walk around. Due to that, I would cling into my parents' shirts, asking them to go on a walk. They always said yes so, they could tire me out cause apparently, I was the mixture of Dora and Rocket, always hyper going and never wanting to stop.  So, while they were about 6-7 sidewalk tiles away from me, I was running in front of them, laughing and telling got "catch me". And due to all those visitors coming over to see us, I always loved the company and started talking to them, showing my toys, talking and playing with them.  So, when my 3-year-old birthday showed up, wearing the big poofy dress, I was still running around with my cousins and childhood friends, still looking behind me to make sure a grown-up was seeing us.

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"I will not get very far with this attitude" Bert writes down multiple times in the chalkboard to never repeat it again. 

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"Guilt, shame and pride are known as the social emotions because they help regulate social interactions and are involved with moral development." (Martorell, 210)
A child has established trust and has established the curiosity of the outside world. Other moments, a child wants to be more social, share ideas and using their imagination. But sometimes, there are moments that have to fight the urge to listen or have a lecture. This leads to the 3rd stage, ages 3-6, initiative verses guilt.
Me and my cousin's parents both enrolled for preschool at the same time, that way we at least had a buddy we could count on, or if we got lonely. Or at least that what the parents thought. I guess due to me and them (they use they pronouns now) living in the same apartment building for 5 years knowing every kid in our neighborhood, I guess it wasn't hard for us to us making new friends. I remember the 1st friend I made, we started playing pretend doctor, as our preschool teacher looked at us with love her eyes. This was also probably the first moment I realized teachers were superheroes. But anyways, recess came out eventually, and we all went outside to play, However, in the middle of learning what bubble-gum, bubble-gum was, the whistle blew. We looked at our teacher, to see her scolding a kid for trying to climb one of the trees. A thing I should mention is our preschool was near a flower garden, but due to that, there were also trees, and due to the budget not being very well, they could really afford a company to cut down a few trees. Resulting in a "forest". This made us cut our first day of recess a tad short, with her telling us it never okay to climb up the tress, especially if there is no adult supervision. She decided toa dd more things of what and what not to do. And if we did, timeout would be us on the wall for 10 minutes. Safe to say, even though the tress looked very beautiful and strudy, never did I try to climb them. I mean, 10 minutes loss of recess, 5-year-old me would be crying.

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Mom and daughter high fiving each other, congratulating each other on thier hard work of math on the table. 

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"There is an opportunity for growth represented" (Martorell, 275)
Trust, autonomy and guilt have been established in our first 6 years in life. 6 years till puberty is the 4th stage is based on learning or trying new things, see what skills we can get from what we love, based on our feeling, or what we see. We want a child to be happy with their skills, but we also got to make sure they are also being praise for their skills.
I've always had a passion for singing and listening to music, probably because of my uncles and parents sing all those Banda songs so much. For that, when 4th grade year arrived, choir was offered to my class. Of course, I said yes. And my parents never minded me singing the songs for our upcoming concerts. Even up to 5th grade, when they offer choir for middle school, my parents didn't mind me singing up for summer camp and joining it till high school. Any time I was given a solo, or even a complement for the teach or my parents, I felt very proud of myself.  However, this wasn't always a win. In my first year of middle school, I wasn't really the fastest person at school. This unfortunately resulted in me avoiding the blond, tall, gossiping popular girls in my middle school, but also avoiding gym at any cost. This is an example of inferiority for my entire 6th grade year. Even though I avoided it as much in 7th grade year, we were introduced to badminton. It was one of those sports that get introduced at a certain grade level. This really helped me get back my love for gym class, not only because I realized I was getting people out and going up the chart, but my teacher even noticed. She was so caring and so kind, and when I got the semi-finals, she pulled me aside to motion how proud he was for stepping my game. Which not only made me tear up, but also got my 'industry back up'. And yes, I even beat the blond, tall, popular girls. That's how proud I was of beating them. No offense!

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Erza Smoothboi, said she drew this on her song "My Own Person", feeling you think you know yourself, but when things happen, confusion can come. 

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Stage 5: Identity vs. Identity Confusion

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Stage 5: Identity vs. Identity Confusion

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"The time-out period that adolescent provide, allows young people to search for commitment to which they can be faithful." (Martorell, 336)
Who are you? Identity vs Identity Confusion is the 5th stage, puberty till young adulthood. This stage has 3 important keynotes for this; choice of occupation or what you want to be when you grow up, what you believe, your religion and what you want to believe, and your sexuality identity.
Since preschool, I always had dreams of being a teacher. Probably ever since the 1st look of my preschool teacher having those eyes of love and happiness for us. But when I realized that my pediatrician was also there for me during hard time, it was the 1st challenge, facing what I want to be. Safe to say, even with all the resources, they are both very beneficial for me. My and my guidance, bless Ehr heart, went through an entire process of colleges, pros and cons, and ask other high schoolers teachers what their experience was like going to college.
I've been raised catholic, always have been since my baptism at year 1. But I never really understood the importance of it. Till my Quincenera, which is a famous Mexican party. And most 15's have a very special mass, dedicated to them. Even though I never understood, I still told them yes, just for their satisfaction. But since that day, mass started becoming a bit more, interesting, and a lot more understanding.
But things were so easy like that my junior and senior year for my sexuality identity. Since my parents were old schooled catholic, they were told to tell me about, you know the whole, LGBTQ+ community was bad. I listened to them till my 8th grade year, once again thanks to me pediatrician, she taught me and my parents what we are wrong about. From there on, I was an ally, proud and supportive. But I got a job during the pandemic, late June of 2020. I had a really awesome coworker who has worked for about 2 months so far. They were non-binary and established themselves as lesbian. They were pretty, they were sweet. Safe to say, when I realized, I open googled. And research the infamous quizzes confused teens took. Lots of tears, loss of nights, and lots of research came into play my junior year. What was it? This was one of the most confusing moments for me, just reaching out and asking question were my only help. But I established myself on the September of my senior year, bisexual. Yeah, I guess this was my coming-out to you.

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Holding hands, gesture of friendship or more. 

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"Motor skills do not develop is isolation " (Martorell, 172) "Person seeks to make commitments to others" (Martorell,13)
6th stage is Intimacy vs. Isolation. You can love as many people as you want, whether its friend-wise, which we have been doing, or other romantically wise. And is it okay? Yes. That last thing we want is to be left alone for no one to love or love you.
My mom has always mentioned the physical tough was my love language. And that's a bit too true. I love to give hugs, high-fives, play tough fighting them, any form of physical affection make me bubbly inside. My sister and I always hug each other before she heads out to school, and I give my brother a kiss-peck on his head.  Remember the coworker? well, when we started going out, she mentioned her love language was words of affection. Safe to say, I didn't mind calling her pretty or just calling her every day to say how proud I am of her, but it did take some time for her to hug and hold my hand out. We make it through though. Even if I didn't end up with her in the future, I know what I like, and I know what I am comfortable with. At least that's all I can expect, because I know I don't want to be left alone by myself, raising myself.

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The adult puts a smile note on the chalkboard, all are different, but all included a smile. 

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"Factors that contribute to homelessness includes lack of employment opportunities, stagnation in working class wages, declines in public assistance funds, and addiction.  " (Martorell, 179)
By then, you are in your adulthood, you made the choice of what you want to be or what who you want to share it with. The question is if you are generous to have that in your life. This is the 7th stage, Generativity vs. Stagnation. I guess we can say, do you feel accomplished so far?
So far, I have not made it down that road yet, 19, still not quite the adult. But what I will say is that I do want to be happy where I am as a young adult, or coming of age adult. If right now you asked me if I was happy, I would say yes. I have a very kind and supportive mom and dad, chaotic but loving sibling, sweet girlfriend, a great job as a busser manager, and even grateful for having the opportunity being able to student aid. Whatever I do at the end. Could I make improvement, yes, absolutely. First, we can start with my organization *cough, cough*, and continue from there.

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A mature adult, now grown, looking back in his moments as a child. 

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"In recent years, an increasing number of psychologists have called for step to increase the integrity, reproducibility, and accessibly of scientific work." (Martorell, 27)
Since birth you trusted others, which then gave you confidence. Eventually, you were lectured what not and what to do. But you wanted to receive good thing about you for your skills. Came into high school with questions getting ready at you in adulthood. Occupation, what you love, and if you will be content with it. Are you satisfied? Stage 8 is last stage, late adulthood, integrity vs. despair.
19-year-old here, but I'm speaking on my grandpa from Mexico. And I actually asked him the same question if he was happy where he is. And he said while there are moments that he wished he could go change back, like his attitude towards his sister and brother, he's glad he loved and trusted those that needed it. He's glad he is still pushing forward to make sure he lives it the best. He's glad he is glad where is son is supposed to be. I only hope the same for me, and everyone. Everyone deserves to be happy with their life at the end.