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In this stage you find trust with your parents or you gain a mistrust with the parents.

I was taken care of when I cried. My parents made sure that I ate, had a clean diaper, bathed and always put to bed at a good time.

This stage is very important that the parent is very present. As a baby you depend the most on your parents for food, comfort and warmth. By providing these basic needs you teach them that they can depend on you.

I left this stage with trust.

https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/erikson-stages#1-trust

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In this stage the begins to gain their own independence. They began to rely less on their parents.

In this stage I learned how to use the restroom on the toilet and not in my diaper. My parents had a potty chart. Each time I used the restroom I got to put a sticker on my chart. When my chart was filled I got to get a bigger prize like candy or a small toy. I also remember getting to pick my outfits out. My mom would take pictures when I dressed myself. We have looked at them to this day.

As most children learn to eat independently, pick out their clothes and potty train at this age. Some children don't always reach the milestone. As the website that I was reading says your toddler has food preferences in this stage. The toddler starts to show toilet training or gets fully potty trained by this stage. Somethings that you will notice when a child dresses themself is that the outfit may not match or their shoes may end up on the wrong feet but that is the way the child will learn.

I left this stage as autonomy.

https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/erikson-stages#1-trust

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In this stage the child is ready to begin preschool. They become more independent. The child will become more social and aware of people. They are also aware of the control that they have over things.

In this stage I began preschool. In preschool I met a lot of people that I would be going through school with and some that I already knew and were friends with. I was the very social kid and didn't know a stranger. Away from school I gained a lot of independence and also wanted to help my mom cook or with whatever task she was working on. By helping my mom I felt like a new person and that I could make her happy easily.

From the website I read it states the the child becomes more social showing that the child will gain self confidence. with the self confidence they find a purpose for themself.

I left this stage initiative.

https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/erikson-stages#1-trust

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In this stage the child starts Elementary School. This is when the child learns lot of new skills and manners. This stage begins the outside influencers the most.

In this stage I faced lots of new things good and bad. I found how people treat others and who I wanted to be around the most. My friend group grew and was the biggest it has ever been in my life. Outside of school I gained bigger responsibilities at home like doing the laundry and dishes, taking care of the animals and continuing to help my mom cook. This stage was a huge growth in the person I am today.

The website stated that this is when the friends and teachers have the biggest impact on a child. The influence that your children have widen and are almost endless. This is when the child could lose self confidence and compare themself to their peers. They will also find a love for a subject like math or reading. Some may really enjoy a special like art or music.

I left this stage as industry.

https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/erikson-stages#1-trust

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In this stage you find your true self. You find who you are and how others see you. You put all the skills that you learned into action.

In this stage I have learned so much about my self and what I want to do with my future. For myself I went through a lot of drama and found myself with a smaller but more caring friend group. My eyes were opened to my true friends versus who my acquaintances are. I found myself putting others before myself and caring way to much about those who didn't actually care about me. I also gained a lot of self confidence and believed in myself. This is when I planned my future of wanting to do something with kids which was being a teacher or daycare person. In this stage I gained the biggest independence as I was able to be home by myself, get my license and get a job.

The website stated that children find themself in this stage as I did. They go through lots of developing and changing in their bodies and emotions. This stage can be a very hard stage for some and easy for others. This is the stage with the first step into adulthood.

I left this stage with identity.

https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/erikson-stages#1-trust

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In this stage you typically have found yourself and are ready to share with others. This is when you fall in love and have children.

In this stage I hope to get married to the love of my life and build a family with them. I also hope to get a forever home on a little farm to grow with my family.

The website states that this stage is the biggest stage to find love and have a healthy relationship with your person. Some that didn't come out of the last stage with identity may struggle to find a healthy relationship.

I hope to leave this stage intimacy.

https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/erikson-stages#1-trust

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In this stage you are all about your family and giving them all that you can.

In this stage I hope to have a reliable job to help support my family and give them the best life. I hope to keep and continue growing a strong bond with my children and husband.

On the website it says that this stage is when you give the most to others and raise your children. For work people strive to do their best and be the most productive.

I hope to leave this stage generatively.

https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/erikson-stages#1-trust

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In this stage you retire and some may become grandparents. Some move away to warm places or a place they have always wanted to live.

In this stage I hope to retire by the age of 70 years old and volunteer in my community. Hoping that my children have children become a grandparent and spoil the babies. I hope to spend time with husband and travel to places we have always wanted to go.

On the website it says that life begins to slow down. People look back on their lives and see all that was achieved. This is when you can also reflect and be proud of what you have done and created.

I hope to leave this stage as integrity.

https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/erikson-stages#1-trust