Warming the Stone Child: Myths and Stories About Abandonment and the Unmothered Child

The author, Clarissa Pinkola Estes, sounds as if she has travelled a very similar journey. Her voice is warm, soothing and empathic, as she explains why unmothered children get locked into certain ways of behaving, the depressions, the feelings of unworthiness and low self-esteem, and the far-reaching effects such abuse can have on adult life. Listening to this tape will give any unmothered adults, (especially women), hope, understanding, and empowerment to find their way back to the child they once were.

Clarissa states very early on in the tape that the only person who can parent an unmothered adult and "make it better" is the adult herself. A bitter pill to swallow when all you want is for someone to come into your life and do it all for you but knowing that truth can act as a catalyst for change. Yes there is a way out of this dungeon of pain. Your life can change. You can't change your past any more than I can, but you can change your future. Let Clarissa help you and guide your first steps on the road to your recovery.


This tape changed my life   September 5, 1999
21 out of 22 found this review helpful

I am grateful to the person who recommended this tape to me. I was indeed the stone child - the motherless child. I had fallen into such deep depression that I did not know if I could go on living.

The first time I listened to this tape something happened inside my heart, I discovered a small flame of life within that I had never known was there. Clarrisa's warm voice, enouraging words of insight and hope renewed me and lifted me out of my depression. I listened to her tape over and over day after day and something changed inside. And because of the change deep within my life changed too. I finally found that what I was looking for outside was actually within me all the time. Thank you Clarrisa for helping me find it within.

I look forward to listening to all of her tapes and continuing on this journey of warming the stone child and connecting to my own internal mother within to guide me through my life.


Just what I need in my life right now   August 1, 1999
13 out of 14 found this review helpful

I really don't know what I would have done had I not found this tape. Someone recommended it to me. I feel like the stone child in the tape and I feel like the life is nearly gone from me, the will to live has been quickly fading. She has pointed me in a new direction of healing and hope.

Dr. Estes has a soothing and caring voice. Her stories, Jungian explanations and warmth fanned the tiny ember in my heart into a small flame. Maybe if I learn to love myself and care for myself this tiny flame can grow strong.

I highly recommend this tape to anyone who was abandoned in childhood and abandonment can be emotional as well as physical. I did not know if there was hope. After listening to her I think there is.


Ms. What a fantastic resource!   December 28, 1998
19 out of 19 found this review helpful

I heartily recommend Warming the Stone Child. She goes right to the heart of healing the core issues of anyone who has experienced abandonment by a crucial nurturing figure. I have listened to this tape over an over again after it was given to me as a gift. Her stories and wisdom have helped to nurture my psyche in many important way. I return to it again and again.


There is a nurturing internal mother inside us all   November 16, 1998
21 out of 21 found this review helpful

I could never say enough about any book or tape by Clarissa Pinkola Estes. This audio tape in particular has meant a lot to me in healing wounds of childhood neglect and abandonment. Each time I listen to these stories my internal mother grows, becomes stronger, and is more able to nurture me in a way I have never experienced. Dr. Estes talks about what an unmothered child experiences, but she also helps you see that you have special gifts and powers, and only need to search within to find and free them.