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The first stage of the Erickson timeline is basic trust vs. mistrust. These little children live their everyday lives with their family and learn who to trust and who to not trust. This happens from birth to 12-18 months.  They began to develop the sense of if the world is a good/safe place to live in. I was born into a broken family. I learned to trust my mom and the people who took care of me. I didn't trust my dad because he was always away. " A child who first successfully developed a sense of trust would be in a particularly good position to develop this strength." (Mortorell 2023, pg 14) I slowly learned who is good and who is safe and what is good/safe.

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The second stage is autonomy vs. shame and doubt. As they get older the children will have a balance of being independent in their life. They are learning how to do stuff on their own and how to not have the parents do everything for them. This stage happens during the age of 12-18 months to 3 years old. " Child develops a balance of independence and self-sufficiency over shame and doubt." (Martorell 2023, pg. 14) Parents have to let the child do stuff on their own so that they can grow up and learn how things work. I was in foster care at this time, so I learned how to take care of me and my sister. We learned how to do stuff on our own and how to trust each other.

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The third stage is initiative vs. guilt. This stage happens when the child is 3 to 6 years old. As kids learn new activities, they get excited and learn. They start using new skills to do more things and become more independent. Children can do this and not be overwhelmed with all the new skills and activities. I was just placed into my forever home, and I was learning how they did things. I had to learn new skills and new ways to do things, but I wasn't overwhelmed by the changes and new skills. " Child develops initiative when trying new activities and is not overwhelmed by guilt." (Martorell 2023, pg. 14)

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In stage 6 it talks about intimacy verses isolation. This stage happens during young adulthood. "Person seeks to make commitments to others or may suffer from isolation and self-absorption." (Martorell 2023, pg.14) During this stage people are growing up and finding the people that they want to spend their whole life with. Some people don't find someone and are okay with it. Some people would thrive being alone, but others need someone. I haven't reached this stage in life, but I would like to find someone and settle down. During this time people will lose friends and family, but they will also keep friends who have been by their side all along. People will leave or stay but they older you get the more you see who is truly going to stay by you.

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Stage 7 happens during middle adulthood. People are getting older and are mature by this time. "Mature adult is concerned with establishing and guiding the next generation or else fells personal impoverishment." (Martorell 2023, pg. 14) During this time they are raising their family and being with someone the love. They have started to make routines for them and their families and will try their best to raise their children right. When I get older, I want to settle down with someone and start a family. I will strive to raise my kids right and feel generativity. I will help educate the next generation to keep the good things going.

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The last stage are the years that you can look back and feel proud of what you did. This stage happens during late adulthood. "Elderly person achieves acceptance of own life, allowing acceptance of death, or else despairs over inability to relive life." (Martorell 2023, pg.14) They get to reflect back on life and feel satisfied with their life. They have lived a life that they wanted to live and have raised a family. They may feel tired from the long road, but looking back has to be an amazing feeling. I want to feel that amazing feeling of accomplishment. I want to see my kids and grandkids and see how much they remind me of the past. I want to teach the kids all of my old tricks and tell amazing stories about my life. I want to feel the amazing feeling of accomplishment while looking back and being grateful for such a good life.

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Martorell, G (2023). Child, 3rd edition. McGraw Hill

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Stage 5: identity vs. identity confusion

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Stage 5: identity vs. identity confusion

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In stage 5 of Erikson's theory, it talks about identity vs. identity confusion. This stage tends to be very awkward for a lot of people. Puberty hits and everything that we know changes. Everyone is trying to find out who they really are growing up. These changes can be very awkward for everyone. This stage happens during puberty to young adulthood. "Adolescent must determine sense of self ("Who am I?") or experience confusion about roles." (Martorell 2023, pg. 14) At this age I was trying to find out who I wanted to be/ who I really am. Everyone that was my age was going through the same things, so we didn't think it was that awkward. Looking back, we tend to think that we could have acted better during this stage, but really, we couldn't because so much was changing in our brains.

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The fourth stage is industry verses inferiority. This stage happens around 6 years and ends around the time that puberty hits. This time is around the time that they start school and branch out in the world. They need the felling of self-worth and know how much they can do. Around this time, it is important that they strive to do good in school and master industry. Having motivation is key. "Child must learn skills of the culture or face feelings of incompetence." (Martorell 2023, pg. 14) In school I struggled around this age. I was a slow learner, but I wanted to do better and be involved. My parents were very supportive and helped me press on in school and feel accomplished every time I did good in school. My parents would help me in school, and they got me involved in activities and skills that I loved outside of school.