When I was a kid, my mom always be holding my hands, especially like when we cross the streets. And I remember at the time, I kinda half disliked it, because I always felt like my movements were being too restrictive, like… I feel like I was too close and I wanted to like move around, look at surroundings, trees, squirrels, etc… She was always afraid I’d get lost, or like… god forbid… get hit by a car.
She also tried to hold my older brother’s hand with her other hand, but he of couse was older and felt embarassed by it so he refused.
I sometimes just run off and go ahead of her because I was bored and felt like she walked too slow, and like I wanted to peek inside a store from the glass window, for example, then we get to a crossing, and she grabs my hand again. Now thinking back, that was actually so wholesome. Like it kinda feels safe and secure being held on to closely.
The memories I remembered of this was around when I was 8-12. Any older than that and I think I just got tired of it and embarassed and I refused lol.
My dad never tried to hold my hands… I guess fathers are just different lol.
Did your parents do that? Did you like it?
Yeah, my parents did that when I was really little. I enjoyed it. Parents even did the thing where they each hold a hand and sorta pick you up and swing you as they walk. It was fun.
I enjoy physical affection, whether platonic or romantic, though as an adult, I feel pretty starved for it. I wish I had a girl I could walk around and hold hands with. That said, I still get hugs from people within my community, so it’s not as bad as it could be. But I still feel starved, anyway.
Not joking but you could get a teddy bear for hugs at home. It was recommended to a friend by their therapist.