Note: Our pronouns are they/them, and we refer to ourselves as we/us/our.
Sweetbottoms wrote:I've noticed the word regression has been used in a negative unhealthy way. The only example I have is my daughter's therapist saying that if we don't keep up with therapy she will regress. I don't know if regression is a negative or positive thing. but according to what you're saying it's fine it's a positive thing.
Regression is used in several context. We will briefly outline those relevant to this post, and include one occasionally used within the community:
- Regression in terms of childhood development.
- Regression in terms of the act of a Little in expressing their Littlespace.
- Regression therapy*. (Irrelevant to this post but potentially useful for disimbiguation purposes.)
Regression in terms of childhood development.
This refers exclusively to circumstances involving a biological child (can range from toddlerhood to early childhood) carrying out actions and expressing themselves in ways expected of children in younger development stages. Example given in the following quoted article: when a child who was believed succesfully potty trained experiencing sudden reluctancy towards potty-use.
Mark Wolraich, MD wrote:At times, a child may even regress in her learning—that is, lose skills she has recently acquired or even take a few steps back in her learning process.
Regression sometimes signals an infection or other disorder that requires medical treatment. If medical causes have been ruled out, however, your child is probably simply responding in the only way she knows how to a recent change in her environment or some other source of stress in her life.
Common causes of regression in young children include:
- Change in the child-care routine—for example, a new sitter, or starting a child-care or preschool program
- The mother’s pregnancy or the birth of a new sibling
- A major illness on the part of the child or a family member
- A recent death
- Marital conflict or parents’ divorce
- An upcoming or recent move to a new house
Wolraich, M., MD, FAAP, 2003. Retrieved 2019-10-27 from
https://www.healthychildren.org/English ... ssion.aspx
As you can see,
regression in this context implies temporary lack of mental, emotional progression, jumping from a current stage into a previously lived stage of development. You want a child to progress, therefore
regression in this context is a negative sign, and should definitely be addressed to get the child back on a healthy development track.
Regression in terms of Littlespace.
Regression (or Littlespace) in this context implies a relaxed state in which a Little is prone to carrying out activities, have thoughts and express feelings that fall in line with those to which correspond to that Little's little-age.
In broad terms,
regression is a positive state where a fully developed adult with a Little personality
further reading: How do I know if I'm a Little? is more outwards about their personal affinity with childhood.
Being a Little is a personality type. Therefore, Littlespace should be a natural activity that is sprinkled throughout a Little's life and more thoroughly manifested in states where there is comfort involved.
Littlespaceonline.com wrote:Littlespace [or
regression] is a mindset in which an adult relaxes into a state of carefree, responsibility-free safety while expressing their atypical inner-self (personality) that differs from their biological peers.
Littlespaceonline.com. Retrieved 2019-10-27 from
What is Littlespace?
Regression therapy
Uncover the spoiler to read further on this sub-topic, but bare in mind that this does not apply in any way to your post and was included for the sake of completeness.
► Read more...
Regression therapy has nothing to do with the previous two definitions given in any context. Some people in the community like to refer to it, though. So, for the sake of clarity we will include a definition.
Littlespaceonline.com wrote:Regression therapy is a
controversial method in psychology that some therapists believes can help achieve personal resolution or closure from previous trauma experienced.
The entire goal of the therapy is to uncover and discuss trauma in pursuing personal resolution.
Regression within the community is neither a form of therapy to uncover traumatic childhood experiences nor a mental health disorder affecting consciousness. Being an age regressor is a childlike personality trait that is atypical but not a mental health concern, and centers around positive feelings and experiences instead of negative, repressed memory.
Littlespaceonline.com. Retrieved 2019-10-27 from
Regression Therapy and Being Little.
I think what I'm asking about this can your inner child be a little?
We believe that most people see "inner child" as referring to a more youthful part of themselves. So, for a Little, with a Little personality, that inner child is embedded in their core, and is who they are. We suppose "inner child" could be used to explain to others how you feel. However, being a Little is who you are, and not a separate thing. It is more than just a part of you. As long as you don't refer being a Little as something different than who you are, then we suppose the question rings true.
I want to buy some onesies to wear around the house but I don't want anyone knowing about my little.
If done discreetly, onesies are just another piece of clothing. Say you wear a pair of shorts over a onesie, and nobody would think of it being something more than a tucked-in shirt. Even leotards (t-shirts with snap-crotch) are becoming more popular and sold in stores. Of course, you should treat these garments as if they were underwear, and not be ready to prance around in them freely around, unless done in private or in an acceptable environment (such as an AB/DL convention).
People generally are unaware of the community and what Littles are, so a lot of things fly under the radar.
I feel like I have to keep it a secret cuz I'm afraid people will judge me harshly and more abused juice on the way.
Being a Little shouldn't be about validation. It's about knowing who you are and doing the things that cater to who you feel you are inside. There is comfort in validation, of course, but at the same time people don't really need to know exactly what you are in order to accept who you are. The person that you are to others should align with the person you feel you are. Just be yourself, and as long as you are aware of your surroundings and what is socially acceptable in the moment, you should be fine.
Sometimes I'll talk a certain way like I'm five. I have a five-year-old so I can get away with it so part of my little can show without people knowing in some parts of my life
We would strongly advise you to not do this in front of your child though. Sure, it may seem silly and goofy to them or the people around you, but, for one, but it can hinder your child's own health and development. Your child still is learning about life, about the world around them. As their parent, they draw most of their social knowledge from you. It can be confusing to see an adult acting like a child in front of them, to them.