Do I Foster An Avoidant Attachment In My Child?

Do you become angry or physically separate from your child when they show signs of fear or distress?

Do you have unrealistic expectations of emotional and practical independence for your child?

Do you shame your child for displaying emotions?

Do you constantly refuse to acknowledge your child’s cries or other shows of distress or fear?

Do you actively suppress your child’s displays of emotion by telling them to stop crying or toughen up?

Based on your answers, it’s unlikely that you share an avoidant attachment style with your child.

Based on your answers, you are displaying some signs of sharing an avoidant attachment style with your child.

Unfortunately, you are displaying the signs typically seen among parents who have an avoidant attachment style with their child. Sometimes, parents can feel overwhelmed when confronted with a child’s emotional needs. They may respond with completely ignoring their child’s emotional needs and distance themselves from the child whenever they seek comfort. To prevent your child from developing an avoidant attachment, you should support a secure attachment with hard work, warmth, and diligence. If you are worried about your ability to foster secure attachment, you may want to reach out to your doctor or a therapist.