The Legacy We Don’t See

Breaking cycles and building a positive inheritance for Alex.

I was staring at a quote today about inherited trauma. It’s a heavy concept, the idea that we carry the weight of generations before us. But then I thought about Alex playing on the rug in our flat, and it hit me. If the hard stuff passes down, the good stuff is just as sticky.

Living in the mirror

Florence and I often talk about how Alex is a little sponge. He doesn’t just hear what we say; he feels how we react when the coffee spills or the Wi-Fi cuts out. It’s a massive responsibility, but also a massive opportunity. Every time we choose patience over a quick temper, we are literally rewriting the family script in real-time.

The gifts we leave behind

Wisdom and emotional intelligence aren’t taught through lectures; they are caught through observation. I want Alex’s “inheritance” to be a toolkit of curiosity and love, not just a collection of old habits. It starts with us doing the work today so he doesn’t have to unpack it later.

A question for you

What is one “positive inheritance” you received from your parents that you’re making sure to pass on?