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The first stages focus on the basic care of the infant. Weather an infant trusts the parents is based on how well parents take care of the infant. If the infants' needs are met and it has a loving environment, it will trust. If the infants' needs are not met and it is given no love, it will mistrust.

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Trust.  I was taken care of well. Even when my parents went back to work, I was taken care of by secondary caregivers two different grandmothers and went to a daycare. Nursed until 6 months and started solid food at 4 months. Got teeth at six months. Mom went back to work when I was one month old and then was watched by grandmothers.

The book says that Erikson believed that it was about the best quality of care for the child, even if it is not the parent.

“The balance of care is sympathetic and loving, the psychological conflict of the first year—basic trust versus mistrust—is resolved on the positive side.” (Berk, 2018)

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The second stage focuses on children playing and learning through play as well as independency. A child should learn how to be independent over time and by being given choices. Such as what to eat, wear, or do. If a child is controlled too much the child with have no independency and will have problems in social situations.

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Autonomy: I was an independent child. I did not have issues adjusting to new situations for example getting a little sister. When she was born, I did not exhibit jealousy. I started walking and climbing at 10 months, however I did finish potty training until I was three. This is because I wanted to hold the power. I was my mama’s doll, I always looked like I had come out of a catalog. I had plenty of choices when it came to eating and playing. At two, my mom would bag up cereal and put a sippy cup of milk and I would grab my own cereal and milk, put my coat on and go to the car.

The book talks about children being able to make their own choices about what they like and don’t like. I absolutely made those choices and showed everyone what I thought.

“The conflict of autonomy versus shame and doubt is resolved favorably when parents provide young children with suit-able guidance and reasonable choices.”

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In the third stage children begin to develop a sense of self and can identify people's roles. They exhibit these roles through playing pretend. Children should be encouraged to play and not pushed into any specific roles. If these desires are stifled, then children can feel guilt and no longer show imagination.

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Initiative: At this point I began gymnastics, pre-school, pre-k, kindergarten, and 1st grade. My mom worked full time, so I spent a lot of time with my grandparents after school. This time was a huge developmental point, learning all the basic school skills. My parents got divorced in 2007 and my mom remarried an Army officer in 2008. I had to adjust to having to swap from mom to dad on the weekends. Then in 2009 we moved to Manhattan, Kansas. A week before I turned 7 my I became a big sister again when my little sister Katie was born. During this time, I faced a crisis of my family splitting and then growing. My parents fought a lot and as a child I understood that my father was mean to my mom. When my mom married my stepdad, I was happy because he was nice. However, because of my strained relationship with my father I did not understand when my stepdad had to leave for trainings or deployment. The book talks about how changes in a child’s environment can affect the child socially, this was defiantly true in my case.
“Initiative versus guilt. As the word initiative suggests, young children have a new sense of purposefulness. They are eager to tackle new tasks, join in activities with peers, and discover what they can do with the help of adults. They also make strides in conscience development.”

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At this stage children learn skills that are both developmentally beneficial and help them find things they excel at. Parents want to encourage students to try new things and explore different types of activates. If a child is not encouraged or shot down, they can develop an inferiority complex. This is when a child does not have enough confidence in themselves to even try a task.

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Industry: At age seven I began to develop many new skills, at home and in school. By becoming a big sister again, I learned how to help take care of my sister and what it takes to care for a baby. I also began to take on more responsibilities. Over the next few years, I began cooking dinner, helping with household chores, and helping with my sisters on a regular basis. When I was nine, my sister Jillian was born. At this point we had moved three times and I had moved between four different schools in my life. Our final move with the Army occurred when I was ten. At this point, my parents decided to homeschool my three sisters and myself. We also began competitive cheerleading during this time.  “Industry versus inferiority, which is resolved positively when experiences lead children to develop a sense of competence at useful skills and tasks.” (Berk, 2018)

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Adolescence: Identity vs. Role Confusion

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Adolescence: Identity vs. Role Confusion

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At this stage, children begin to deal with puberty and all of the hormones that go along with that. As they grow up, they find who they are. Children who are given many options and allowed to explore their sense of self will find their identity. If a child is kept isolated or not allowed to explore will exhibit role confusion and not have an understanding of who they are.

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Identity: I started everything early, this included the “power struggle” with my mom. The defiance that most kids exhibit at 16 I exhibited at 12. From 12-15 I had a hard time wading through all the emotions, hormones, and social situations I was dealing with. However, I persevered. As I got older, being homeschooled paid off and I advanced in school, I became firm in my beliefs and my faith, and I became very confident in who I am. When I was 16, I went to a public high school for my senior year. While here, I was tested by my peers. But my self-confidence shone through and although many were intimidated, I stood firm.  The book talks about the identity crisis that most young people have and for me, that was my first few years of high school. When I was 17 my baby brother was born.
“Identity as the major personality attainment of adolescence and as a crucial step toward becoming a productive, content adult. Constructing an identity involves defining who you are, what you value, and the directions you choose to pursue in life.” (Berk, 2018)

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At this point, young adults attempt to form emotional and romantic relationships. During this time previous relationships and relationships with parents are an influence. If a person had a loving and supportive family, there is greater chance that they will be able to establish healthy relationships. However, if a person did not have a supportive family, they can isolate themselves due to an inability to connect with others.

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Intimacy: Now in my early adulthood, I can positively say that I can form healthy relationships, however when it comes to romantic relationships, I don’t always pick the best guy. That being said, my current relationship is extremely good. I believe that my boyfriend is my future husband. In pervious relationships I have had problems due to my issues with my father. His and my relationship has gotten worse over the years this has always led to me have little to no expectations of a guy after he messes up once.  “Young adults establish intimate relationships. Because of earlier disappointments, some individuals cannot form close bonds and remain isolated.”

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Middle Adulthood: Generativity vs Stagnation

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Middle Adulthood: Generativity vs Stagnation

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At this stage a person has to either contribute to society through having children or having a very productive job. a person can feel unfulfilled if they do not have any of these things.

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Generativity: At this point I plan on having children and a job that provides for my family and society, by being a teacher. I want to have a house and a husband as well as maybe a dog.

“Generativity means giving to the next generation through child rearing, caring for others, or productive work. The person who fails in these ways feels an absence of meaningful accomplishment.”

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Once people have reached old age, they want to be able to look back on their lives and be happy. They also do not want their lives to be completely over. If someone has regrets, they can become bitter.

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Integrity: I hope to establish integrity. I want to live life to the fullest and be happy with the life that I have led with many grandchildren to take care of me.

“Integrity results from feeling that life was worth living as it happened. Older people who are dissatisfied with their lives fear death.”