Understanding Blocked Care: How It Impacts Parents Raising Children Who Have Experienced Trauma

Parenting is never simple, but when your child has experienced trauma, it can feel like you’re navigating a maze—sometimes with walls you can’t see. Two challenges many parents face in this journey are Blocked Care and Blocked Trust. Understanding these concepts can help you reconnect with your child and yourself.

What Is Blocked Care?

Blocked Care happens when stress, fear, or exhaustion interferes with your ability to respond to your child with patience, consistency, and compassion. It’s not about failing as a parent—it’s a natural response to intense emotional pressure.

For parents of traumatized children, Blocked Care can look like:

• Irritation or anger replacing calm guidance

• Avoiding difficult conversations or moments of connection

• Feeling numb, disconnected, or overwhelmed

• Decision fatigue, where even small choices feel impossible

  
  

When Blocked Care occurs, it can unintentionally trigger a child’s trauma responses, making behaviors harder to manage and increasing parental stress—a cycle that can feel impossible to break.

What Is Blocked Trust?

Blocked Trust is what often develops in children (and sometimes parents) after trauma. When a child has experienced betrayal, neglect, or instability, their ability to trust others—and sometimes even their own caregivers—is impaired.

Blocked Trust can show up as:

• Emotional withdrawal or avoidance

• Difficulty following rules or routines

• Testing boundaries repeatedly

• Reluctance to accept comfort, help, or guidance

  
  

For parents, Blocked Trust may also manifest internally: “I can’t rely on myself to handle this,” or “If I show love, will it be enough?” This internal Blocked Trust can intensify Blocked Care.

The Connection Between Blocked Care & Blocked Trust

These two concepts are intertwined. When a parent experiences Blocked Care, a child may sense inconsistency or emotional unavailability, which reinforces Blocked Trust. Conversely, a child’s Blocked Trust can trigger parental stress, feeding the cycle of Blocked Care. Breaking this cycle requires awareness, intentionality, and support.

Strategies to Navigate Blocked Care & Blocked Trust

1. Pause and Breathe – Short mindfulness breaks give space between reaction and response.

2. Name Your Feelings – Identify frustration, guilt, or fear without judgment.

3. Focus on Small Wins – Consistent micro-actions build trust more than grand gestures.

4. Prioritize Connection Over Control – Routines and emotional safety matter more than perfection.

5. Seek Support – Trauma-informed therapists, parent coaches, and support groups help break the cycle.

6. Model Trustworthiness – Keep promises, show up consistently, and communicate openly.

Final Thoughts

Parenting a child who has experienced trauma can feel like walking a tightrope. Blocked Care and Blocked Trust are natural responses—but they don’t have to define your relationship. With awareness, patience, and support, you can unblock your ability to care, rebuild trust, and create a foundation where your child—and you—can heal, grow, and thrive.