Just as when you were an infant, you probably won't remember much from the time you were a toddler. If you suspect that your needs were neglected or you were outright abused as a toddler, I highly recommend you take the "Index of Suspicion" test starting on page 106 of John Bradshaw's book, Homecoming: Reclaiming and Championing Your Inner Child.
Just as when you were an infant, your inner toddler will have internalized unmet needs from that period of your childhood. It is an important part of recovery to acknowledge and affirm those needs now, as an adult.
In addition to the affirmations that ALL inner children need to hear; "I'm glad you're here, I love you just the way you are and I will never leave you," your inner toddler needs to hear affirmations that are specific to this second stage of child development:
Little _____________, it's okay to be curious, to want, to look, to touch and
use your inner toddler's preferred name even if it's not your given name
taste things. I'll make sure it is safe for you to explore.
I'm here to take care of your needs. You don't have to take care of mine.
It's okay for you to be taken care of, little __________________.
It's okay to say no, little ___________________. I'm glad you want to be you.
It's okay for both of us to be mad. We will work our problems out.
It's okay to feel scared when you do things your way.
It's okay to feel sad when things don't work out the way you want it to.
You can be you and still count on me being there for you.
I love watching you learn to walk and talk. I love watching you separate and start to grow up.
I love and value you, little ___________________.
These affirmations were developed by John Bradshaw and he recommends that you do some meditation to use them to affirm your inner toddler. He recommends that you devote an hour of uninterrupted time for this. He also recommends and I can speak from experience, that you have a box of Kleenex close at hand. His Homecoming book includes some excellent suggestions for getting relaxed and in touch with your inner toddler before you say these affirmations. Before you say them out loud to your inner toddler, first read them slowly and really let their meaning sink in.
