I only got through half of them tonight, but I'll write more responses tomorrow. Thanks, all, for sharing!
Yay, responses!
Thank you guys for answering!! I'm sorry for asking questions and then not responding right away. I wanted to wait a bit so I could really think about what to say, and I’ve also been a bit busier than normal, but I did read every word. It's so interesting to see how people can approach the same things from different directions. It can be security, or reliving childhood - or reworking the childhood one wanted, or anything, really. I think that's brilliant, I think it's so great that people can find what makes them feel loved/cared for/safe/etc and express it. That takes guts, no matter what the impetus was to start.
I’m not going to quote everyone (I haven’t figured out a way to do it quickly yet) but I do want to respond, so:
Fifigal:
I think that sounds lovely. I like the way you put that, about ‘giving yourself permission’ to set aside adult things for a little while. I know quite a few people who could benefit from doing that!
From what my parents tell me, I was a little bit of a terror about tea parties – if you were at my house, you were coming to the tea party, and you pretty much didn’t have a choice. This was when I was around four, I think? Oh! I think you’ll like this story. I remember for my birthday my family had me spend a big chunk of the day with my babysitter, and then I came home to a real-life teaparty with my relatives. I don’t remember much of it, but I remember walking in, at least – everything else is probably just from them telling me about it. I don’t remember being a really frufru girly girl, but apparently I was super into those tea parties.
Wombat:
I…have a lot of questions, haha. I like learning, and I like learning about this specifically. I find it’s always way more interesting to learn from people than from books. And from what I’ve heard around here, there aren’t that many that accurately represent the muti-faceted nature of infantilism/ageplay. There’s a stigma around it, and I don’t know why.
You don’t sound like a pedo! There’s a big difference between (A) wanting to recreate childhood experiences and having adult pleasure from that and (B) being sexually attracted to actual children. I get it.
Oh my goodness, you and your girlfriend sound SO CUTE. I love hearing about happy couples, and the ageplay thing just makes it even more adorable. I’m not trying to belittle (hah) you or anything, it just kinda makes me squee a little bit to read about y’all playing and being happy.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with needing a certain element of wetting to get into your personal ‘little’ zone. It’s different for everyone, or at least that’s what I’ve seen. But then, pretty much everything is. Perception varies! Two people looking at the same picture can have completely different thoughts about it.
I don’t really understand furries, either. I’m not closed to the idea, and I’d love to learn more/talk to more people who identify as furries, but it doesn’t quite compute when I try and think about it all by myself. But that’s what’s so great about this forum! And I agree – I think a lot of it has to do with acceptance of behaviors and desires outside the generally accepted ‘norm’.
SpAzpieSweeTot:
I saw that whole other thread, yeah – that’s part of what made me want to ask this question
I think it’s interesting that you talk about it like vehicles – makes it easy to understand! It makes sense that triggers would send you right there, yeah, especially if you refer to it as being more true to your inner self.
Penny:
Thank you for mentioning your triggers! I think it’s cool that it can vary from things to feelings. I also think it’s interesting that you say your tastes and interests change.
PrincessBella:
Aw, that sounds nice. It sounds like a lovely happy time to let yourself enjoy what you like guilt-free.
BabyJacobDL:
I like what you wrote. I like that you said it’s about letting someone else take charge even though you’re usually very independent, and I like that part about it being less of a guilty pleasure if someone else made the choice for you. I think that’s an interesting combination of feelings.
I got your friend request and accepted – feel free to PM me! I should be able to get them very soon.
Little2Roo:
Awh. I like that you talked about RP and also just ‘freeform’. I also like the phrasing about being in the moment – I think that’s a very big part of it, is not worrying about the future or even tomorrow or a few hours from then, all that matters is right then. Which is pretty awesome.
BabyBobby83:
First of all, I think it’s awesome to see you pinging around here and commenting all over and posting questions – you seem really pumped, and that’s wonderful!
I can’t comment on the sexual side of it, as I have no context for that at all, but I liked the way you worded it about ‘shutting off’ the stressful bits, and relaxing.
Sanch:
I really like what you said here: “I will say that regression seems to be different for everyone. The triggers for regression, the alteration in our thoughts and the way we act, and the function which regression serves for ABDLs is a very personal and singular experience.”
It definitely seems to be true! I’m not really looking for one particular answer, I just like learning about individual people and their personal opinions and stories. Enough answers will also help understand it on a bigger scale, or at least I hope so. I also like that you differentiated between regression and age-play – thank you for sharing!
(Also, as a lurker, I drew slight inspiration from your username and calling your wife MamaSanch to come up with my username and calling my boyfriend MrRyu. So thanks for that, too!)
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I'll respond to everyone else tomorrow. Goodnight/morning!