use the silence to curse you with feelings of rejection even if you were not openly rejected. It may not seem too bad on the surface. They may not have told you explicitly, “I wish you hadn’t been born,” or “You have made my life miserable,” but the absence of positive reinforcement may have left you wondering about your significance. The silence incurs a curse. Small children need lots of hugs and kisses and affirmations. “Atta-boys” and “attagirls” should be frequent to give a child an honest sense