Attachment Theory Question

Tuesday, December 2, 2008 21:23

Posted in category Parenting

Here is a question to think about from Attachment Parenting International. I will write my answer in a separate post. Feel free to comment – I would love to hear your thoughts on the question.
For some details behind the Question of Attachment Theory read below.

Stephanie // Sep 18, 2008 at 7:00 am wrote “I am trying to become more present in my life so that I can be more attentive and balanced for myself and our family. This is easy to do when the day and/or night is flowing smoothly and I easily have my cup filled. I am most challenged when I am overtasked, depleted, and running low on my cup. Knowing this, what suggestions do you offer for being gentle, positive, compassionate, and aware when you are completely not there? What have you done personally when in the midst of chaos to remain an Attached Parent?”

Attachment Theory From Wikipedia

What are The 8 Principles of Attachment Parenting?

Prepare for Pregnancy, Birth, and Parenting
Feed with Love and Respect
Respond with Sensitivity
Use Nurturing Touch
Engage in Nighttime Parenting
Provide Consistent and Loving Care
Practice Positive Discipline
Strive for Balance in Personal and Family Life

Attachment theory, originating in the work of John Bowlby, is a psychological, evolutionary and ethological theory that provides a descriptive and explanatory framework for understanding interpersonal relationships between human beings. Attachment theorists consider the human infant to have a need for a secure relationship with adult caregivers, without which normal social and emotional development will not occur. However, different relationship experiences can lead to different developmental outcomes.

Within attachment theory, infant behaviour associated with attachment is primarily a process of proximity seeking to an identified attachment figure in stressful situations, for the purpose of survival. Infants become attached to adults who are sensitive and responsive in social interactions with the infant, and who remain as consistent caregivers for some months during the period from about six months to two years of age. During the later part of this period, children begin to use attachment figures (familiar people) as a secure base to explore from and return to.

Attachment pattern	Child	Caregiver
Secure	Protests caregiver’s departure and is comforted on return, returning to exploration.	Responds appropriately, promptly and consistently to needs.
Avoidant	Little or no distress on departure, little or no visible response to return. Quality of play often low.	Little or no response to distressed child. Discourages crying and encourages independence.
Ambivalent	Sadness on departure but warms to stranger. On return, ambivalence, anger, reluctance to warm to caregiver and return to play. Preoccupied with caregiver’s availability.	Inconsistent between appropriate and neglectful responses.
Disorganised	Stereotypies on return such as freezing or rocking. Lack of coherent coping strategy (such as approaching but with the back turned).	Frightened or frightening behaviour, intrusiveness, withdrawal, negativity, role confusion, affective communication errors and maltreatment.