My childhood was filled with many negative things, most of which I could not control. Poverty, divorce, abuse, bullying were all things that no child should have to go through. But here are a couple things, looking back, that would have been very helpful to me, even with those negative things:
1. Consistent and strong love by both (ideally) parents. Parents who did not shelter, who did not hide every fear and challenge from their child, who did not meet their needs through that child, did not make that child into something he or she was not. Accepted and protected the child.
2. Safety and trust needs met by parents, both physically and mentally.
3. Parents who were disciplined, who taught him or her the way to go, who challenged them mentally, soothed them physically, and encouraged them emotionally. Parents who were firm but loving. Assertive but honest. Creative and confident.
4. Safe, stable, warm environment
5. A core of beliefs that are the moral guideline for the child.
Of course, there are plenty more but these were the ones that I feel strongly about.
