I continue a series of articles in which I talk about the approach to working with the “Inner Family”, which is offered by the American art therapist Lucia Cappachione. Here are more articles from this series: How to cultivate a Caring Inner Parent? Getting to know your Playful Inner Child: exercisesInner Child and creativityWho is a Protective Inner Parent? This is the part of us that sets boundaries and sets limits in the external world if it conflicts with the needs of the Inner Child. This part is also needed in order to stop our own destructive tendencies, as a result of which we forget about the needs of our own Inner Child, we can ignore or hurt him. For example, we decide to sacrifice the time we would like to devote to a hobby or any other recreation in favor of working a few more hours. This is a kind of defender of children's rights. Its purpose is to prevent the Inner Child from being mistreated by other parts of our personality (such as the Critical Inner Parent) or by other people in the outer world. The Protective Parent must work closely with the Nurturing Inner Parent to know exactly what the Inner Child needs. Sensitivity, compassion, and the ability to care make the Nurturing Parent a great listener. On the other hand, the Protective Parent is called upon when it is necessary to act, to defend, to be firm. He sets boundaries and respects them. He deals with those who violate these boundaries: consciously or accidentally. It protects the Inner Child when there is danger of being hurt or abandoned. It creates a safe environment for the Inner Child. For those raised in dysfunctional families with a lack of structure, safe boundaries, and respect for the child, developing the Protective Inner Parent is challenging. But it can be done. The Protective Inner Parent is especially important for those who are trying to get out of an abusive relationship: partner, spouse, boss, parent, anyone else. It is the Protective Inner Parent who is able to take matters into their own hands and refuse to remain in a situation in which the Inner Child is being abused. A team of “awakened” Caring and Protective Parents cannot be defeated. They are able to truly love and truly care for the Inner Child. They create a safe environment so that the Inner Child can finally stop hiding and be able to experience his feelings and be truly himself. But it is in the Inner Child that much of what makes our life valuable is hidden. How can you “wake up” the Protective Parent? Want to get to know this important part of our Self? Here are some exercises. Exercise 1. Protecting the Inner Child with the Non-Dominant Hand, draw the Protective Inner Parent protecting your Inner Child. Exercise 2. Conversation between the Protective Parent and the Inner Child. Using the dominant hand, the Protective Parent talks to the Inner Child, who is writing with the non-dominant hand. The Protective Parent asks where the Inner Child currently needs protection. Exercise 3. Drawing what protection looks like. Using the non-dominant hand, the Inner Child draws a specific situation in which it needs protection, showing how the Protective Parent fulfills its role. Exercise 4. Symbol of Protection With the non-dominant hand, the Inner Child draws a symbol of protection, an image that represents safety for the Inner Child. Exercise 5: Protecting my Inner Child with a Non-Dominant Hand The Protective Inner Parent writes a plan for how he will protect the Inner Child at this stage of your life. He describes what boundaries and rules he will set in specific situations to ensure the safety of the Inner Child. Exercise 6. I ask for forgiveness Dominant hand Protective Inner Parent?