The impact of Generational Trauma is becoming more widely discussed and researched. If you aren’t familiar with it, Generational Trauma is trauma (or adverse experiences) that are passed from one generation to another. This happens unconsciously.

Let me give you an example.

I grew up on the Ohio River and were not allowed to go boating or swimming. It was really disappointing to always miss out on a big part of growing up and the fun that other kids were having.

Many years later, I was traveling in Germany and traveled to one of the cities where my Grandfather had served in World War 2. It was located on the Ruhr River and while I was there, I learned that many U.S. soldiers had drowned in the river during the war. It changed my whole perspective!

Now I understand that my grandfather had probably witnessed drownings and developed a perspective that rivers and swimming are dangerous. He passed that fear down to my father as well. With that new information, my perspective changed. I see now that my dad was doing his best to protect me. I can feel the grief that I missed out and gratitude that my family was offering me safety and protection.

As children are not aware of the dynamics that are happening around us and the reality is that many families do not discuss these types of details. But learning about the stories that came before us can help us to see our story and our future in a new light.