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What is Attachment ?

Attachment is the strong emotional connection we form with others to fulfill our basic human needs. When we’re children, we’re dependent on caregivers for our health and well-being. And then for all that adulting we have to do later, we crave a support system that mimics what we had in childhood.

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“People need other people — we are fundamentally social animals,” explains Gabriela Martorell, a development psychology professor at Virginia Wesleyan University.

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But exactly how does our style form? More than half a century ago, psychologists John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth developed attachment theory: How our parents or guardians cared for us in our first 5 years played a pivotal role in our emotional development.

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And from that, we developed an attachment style that informs how we behave in intimate relationships, including close friendships, romantic partnerships, and even with family.

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They’re divided into two camps: secure and insecure. And the insecure category has several subtypes. Remember, you can also have a combination of styles.

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Attachment types

Secure Attachment

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Tips for Balancing Parenting and Providing Secure Attachments

Be Consistent and Predictable: Children thrive on routine and predictability. Consistent responses to their needs help them feel secure and understood. Quality Time: Spend quality time with your child, engaging in activities that they enjoy. This strengthens your bond and shows them they are valued2. Responsive Caregiving: Pay attention to your child’s cues and respond promptly and appropriately. This helps them feel safe and supported3. Emotional Availability: Be emotionally available to your child. Listen to their concerns, validate their feelings, and provide comfort when needed2. Set Boundaries with Love: Establish clear and consistent boundaries, but do so with warmth and understanding. This helps children feel secure while learning about limits4. Model Healthy Relationships: Demonstrate healthy communication and conflict resolution in your relationships. Children learn a lot by observing their parents. Self-Care: Take care of your own physical and emotional well-being. A well-rested and emotionally balanced parent is better equipped to provide secure attachments. Repair and Reconnect: When mistakes happen, repair the relationship by acknowledging the mistake and reconnecting with your child. This teaches them that relationships can withstand challenges. Encourage Independence: Allow your child to explore and be independent while providing a secure base they can return to. This fosters confidence and resilience. Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to seek support from family, friends, or professionals. Parenting is a demanding job, and having a support system can make a big difference. By incorporating these tips, parents can create a nurturing environment that promotes secure attachments and healthy development for their children.

Anxious-Preoccupied Attachment

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Tips for Adapting Parenting from Anxious-Preoccupied to Secure Attachment

Be Consistently Responsive: Respond to your child’s needs promptly and consistently. This helps them feel secure and understood. Validate Their Feelings: Acknowledge and validate your child’s emotions. For example, "I see that you’re upset, and it’s okay to feel that way" Create a Safe Environment: Ensure your child feels safe both physically and emotionally. Provide a stable and predictable environment. Practice Self-Regulation: Manage your own emotions and reactions. Children often mirror their parents’ emotional responses. Encourage Independence: Allow your child to explore and be independent while providing a secure base they can return to. This fosters confidence and resilience. Set Clear Boundaries: Establish and maintain clear, consistent boundaries with warmth and understanding. This helps children feel secure while learning about limits. Spend Quality Time: Engage in activities that your child enjoys and spend quality time together. This strengthens your bond and shows them they are valued. Communicate Openly: Encourage open and honest communication. Let your child know they can talk to you about anything without fear of judgment. Seek Professional Support: If needed, seek guidance from a therapist or counselor to help you and your child develop healthier attachment patterns. Reflect on Your Own Attachment Style: Understand your own attachment style and how it affects your parenting. This awareness can help you make conscious changes to foster a secure attachment with your child. By incorporating these strategies, parents can create a nurturing environment that promotes secure attachments and healthy development for their children.

Avoidant-Dismissive Attachment

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Tips for Adapting Parenting from Avoidant-Dismissive to Secure Attachment

Be Emotionally Available: Make a conscious effort to be present and emotionally available for your child. Show interest in their feelings and experiences. Validate Their Feelings: Acknowledge and validate your child’s emotions. For example, "I understand that you’re feeling sad, and it’s okay to feel that way". Consistent Responsiveness: Respond to your child’s needs consistently and reliably. This helps them feel secure and understood. Encourage Open Communication: Foster an environment where your child feels comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings. Encourage open and honest communication. Set Appropriate Limits: Establish clear and consistent boundaries with warmth and understanding. This helps children feel secure while learning about limits. Reconnect After Conflicts: After any conflicts or misunderstandings, make an effort to reconnect with your child. This shows them that relationships can withstand challenges. Own Up to Mistakes: Acknowledge your own mistakes and apologize when necessary. This models accountability and helps build trust. Spend Quality Time Together: Engage in activities that your child enjoys and spend quality time together. This strengthens your bond and shows them they are valued. Learn About Their Interests: Take an interest in your child’s hobbies and passions. This helps you connect on a deeper level and shows that you care about their individuality. Seek Professional Support: If needed, seek guidance from a therapist or counselor to help you and your child develop healthier attachment patterns. Anglicare Services that you can reach out to for support are X Y Z. By incorporating these strategies, parents can create a nurturing environment that promotes secure attachments and healthy development for their children.

Disorganised Attachment

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Tips for Adapting Parenting from Disorganised to Secure Attachment

Ensure Safety: The first step is to ensure your child feels safe. This includes both physical safety and emotional security. Be Consistently Responsive: Respond to your child’s needs in a consistent and predictable manner. This helps them feel secure and understood. Create a Stable Environment: Provide a stable and predictable environment. Routine and structure can help your child feel more secure. Validate Their Feelings: Acknowledge and validate your child’s emotions. For example, "I see that you’re upset, and it’s okay to feel that way". Encourage Open Communication: Foster an environment where your child feels comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings. Encourage open and honest communication. Develop Self-Regulation Skills: Help your child develop self-regulation skills through mindfulness practices, such as deep breathing or meditation. Reconnect After Conflicts: After any conflicts or misunderstandings, make an effort to reconnect with your child. This shows them that relationships can withstand challenges. Seek Professional Support: If needed, seek guidance from a therapist or counselor to help you and your child develop healthier attachment patterns. Model Healthy Relationships: Demonstrate healthy communication and conflict resolution in your relationships. Children learn a lot by observing their parents. Be Patient and Compassionate: Changing attachment styles is a gradual process. Be patient with yourself and your child, and celebrate small victories along the way. By incorporating these strategies, parents can create a nurturing environment that promotes secure attachments and healthy development for their children.

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Characteristics:

  • This attachment style forms when caregivers are inconsistent in their responsiveness.

  • Children may become overly dependent and anxious about their caregiver’s availability.

Example:

  • A child with anxious-preoccupied attachment may cling to their caregiver and become very upset when separated.

  • As an adult, they might seek constant reassurance in relationships and fear abandonment1.

Tips for Creating a more
Secure Attachment for yourself in your relationships

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  1. Cultivate Self-Awareness:

  2. Practice Healthy Communication:

  3. Seek Therapy:

  4. Prioritise Self-Care:

  5. Challenge Negative Beliefs:

  6. Build Emotional Regulation Skills:
    Set Healthy Boundaries:

Learn to set and maintain boundaries in your relationships. This helps create a sense of safety and respect for both you and your partner.
 

Reflect on Past Experiences:

Practice Patience and Self-Compassion:

 

By incorporating these tips into your daily life, you can work towards developing a more secure attachment style and fostering healthier, more fulfilling relationships. 

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For 24 hour crisis support: Lifeline 13 11 14​​

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