Attachment is Built in Moments: 4 Reasons to Develop Secure Attachments with Your Children

Attachment is Built in Moments: 4 Reasons to Develop Secure Attachments with Your Children

By Aimee Dispoto, PsyD

A moment in time is fleeting. A single moment can tell a story, evoke an emotion, or capture the
essence of an interaction. Every moment we have with our children is precious. We put a lot of
pressure on ourselves to make those moments perfect. As parents, we run ragged trying to plan
the perfect birthday party, the perfect vacation, the perfect preschool. Our children don’t need
perfect. They need moments. Moments with us that are unscripted, flawed, and present. Here are 4 key reasons to spend more of those important moments with your child:

  1. Emotional development: When children form secure attachments with their parents, they
    feel safe, loved, and supported. This helps them develop a sense of trust in themselves
    and others, which is important for their emotional well-being.
  2. Social development: Children who have strong attachments with their parents are more
    likely to form positive relationships with others. This is because they have learned how to
    communicate their needs, trust others, and regulate their emotions.
  3. Cognitive development: Children who have secure attachments with their parents are
    better able to explore the world around them. They feel more confident in their abilities,
    and are more likely to try new things and take risks.
  4. Physical development: Secure parent-child attachments have been shown to have a
    positive impact on physical health, including better immune function and lower levels of
    stress hormones.

Think of times when things didn’t work out the way you’d planned but you had a blast anyway.
Those are the “moments”, the moments that bond us together. Parent-child attachment is
essential for healthy child development. It provides the foundation for a child’s emotional, social, cognitive, and physical well-being, and sets the stage for positive relationships throughout their lives.

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