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In the first stage of Erik Erikson's theory the uncertain infant relies on their primary caregiver for secure support. Whether they develop a sense of trust or mistrust both will have longterm effects. According to Erikson this stage is critical in infancy. It's important to feel like the world is a good and safe place but in order to protect yourself you must learn mistrust. You will develop these senses on your own. You don't necessarily need either parent to feel a sense of trust. When I was an infant I had my grandparents. The bond I formed with my grandfather is a bond we will have for the rest of our lives. If you don't have a person you can connect with it can have negative longterm effects such as anxiety and depression rather then feeling safe and loved with a connection you trust.

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According to Erik Erikson in this stage children start to develop a sense of independence. If controlled or not given the chance to be themselves the child will become dependent upon others, doubt themselves and lack self-esteem. If they are supported in their decisions and independence the child will become more confident and secure in their own choices. As a child I was made to wear dresses my grandmother made for me, although I didn't have a choice these dresses were made to make me feel like a princess. I felt beautiful and confident. Fortunately I was encouraged to be independent doing my own hair, pouring my own drink and making my own egg with help from my grandmother. This has carried on with me through adulthood and now I encourage and help my own children to be independent in the same ways. As long as they feel confident they can choose their own outfits, but if they'd rather me help them choose I will.

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During the third stage of Erik Erikson's theory the child focuses on interacting with other children, playing is important in this stage. Playing provides children with the opportunity to build relationships and communication skills through the start of activities. When given the set of circumstances children develop a sense of independence in their ability to lead others and make decisions. Although I don't remember a time I can relate to I was always told that I was rebellious as a child. I was always good at making friends but I was always the one with the ideas, the games and I was always telling others what to do. I was the only girl and 3 boys, they knew if they were to hurt me they'd get in trouble so they always took to my commands and followed me around like i was the leader of the pack, although other times they'd tell me to do something I wasn't supposed to then they would tell on me for it. During this stage I had the best of both worlds. They helped teach me purpose and self control.

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In the fourth stage of Erik Erikson's theory children are learning to do things on their own. Now is when a child needs encouragement to accomplish specific goals and support for their capability to feel pride and confident, if not encouraged the child will have the opposite feelings such as self doubt. One moment I will never forget in my life was a time I was playing t-ball. All of my close family members went to watch me play. With the my families eyes on me and all of my teammates I called friends I went to hit the ball off the "T" and I missed over and over and over again. Some of my teammates started laughing that I couldn't hit the ball. I ran off the field crying and told my family then I was done playing. Although I was just a child the humiliation I felt was unbarring and I never played another sport in my life in fear for humiliation and letting my teammates down.

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During the fifth stage of Erik Erikson's theory the transition from childhood to adulthood is most important. In this stage it is important to trust who you are to become and love yourself the way you are. According to Erikson you must confront this crisis in order to become a unique adult with self-worth. Before all else you must develop a reasonable sense of self in order to cope with the challenges of adult life. As a teenager growing up all i wanted to do was fit in, I tried to be like my friends. I wanted to dress the same and make all the same goals. When you watch others reach their goals and you are trying you start to doubt yourself more. As I got older I learned to make my own path and become who I wanted to be for myself. It started with loving who I was as a person and finding my own reasonable sense of self-worth that I was happy with.

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In the sixth stage of Erik Erikson's theory one starts to share their feelings more, will seek to make more commitments to others or will suffer from isolation. I believe this stage plays a big role in most lives, figuring out who we are, loving ourselves and thinking about long-term commitment with someone who we might love even more. At 18 years old I had a child with someone I thought I loved. You think you have everything figured out, until you lose them and then it feels like your life has to restart all over again. Sometimes we have to do more experiencing before we find what it is we have been looking for, sometimes what we desire the most isn't what we were looking for which might result in isolation and not feeling like you are enough.

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During the seventh stage of Erik Erikson's theory we focus on growth. The growth of our family, growing within' our community and the growth we have stayed up late for at work. We aim for success rather than failure. If feeling like we have succeeded we will feel pride and joy but if feeling like we have failed we will feel deprived of wealth. Although i'm not close to the age this stage falls for it has already become a goal in my life. To raise my kids how i feel is right, attend school so i can get a job doing what I desire most, a job that will give back to my community and strive to leave behind not only an asset for children and future grandchildren, but someone to tell them how hard I worked for them.

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In the eighth and final stage of Erik Erikson's theory we can look throughly at our accomplishments and success. We can decide if we have reached our goals, if we can settle with how far we have come. If we feel accomplished we will feel wisdom and closure. If we don't feel accomplished we will sense despair, frustration and guilt. Thinking about this stage early saddens me but also encourages me. Work hard in hopes one day it pays off so we can leave this world peacefully is a goal of mine.