Has My Child Developed A Healthy Attachment?

Does your child greet you and show happy emotions after your absence?

Is your child responsive to discipline?

Does your child prefer your company to that of strangers?

Does your child give, share, and take?

Does your child turn to you to be comforted?

Does your child have no difficulties with delaying gratification (e.g., he is able to wait without becoming upset)?

Does your child show independent behavior?

Unfortunately, based on your answers, it’s unlikely that your child has developed a healthy attachment. Healthy attachment is the basis for social and emotional interactions, for intellectual interest and physical development. Attachment is a relationship that involves more than just feeling close to your child. Attachment develops over time and gets healthier the more your child experiences safe emotional connections. Parenting is not easy, but you have to be able to detect your child’s non-verbal cues and to respond in a correct way. The earliest attachments in life may impact later adult relationships. Healthy attachment, therefore, is essential for each child.

Based on your answers, your child is displaying some signs of a healthy attachment, but also that of an unhealthy attachment pattern. Healthy attachment is the basis that lets your child explore the world and have a safe place to come back to. Attachment is highly important to long-term emotional health. When a child is healthy attached, they will be able to handle situations as they grow, which includes separating from you when they start going to school, working together with other kids, and develop self-control. Our earliest relationships with caregivers play an essential role in development and future relationships.

Based on your answers, your child is displaying the signs typically seen among individuals who developed a healthy attachment. This is positive news! Attachment is the first thing that babies learn to organize their feelings. They do that by looking to the person who cares for them. Attachment is crucial for long-term emotional health. Healthy attachment will cause a child to trust and to connect with the world. In your case, there seem to be no reason to worry, you did a great job raising your child!