After Attachment.....What then?

[moogie]

I just read most of this article and felt that it was quite relevant to what many of us are going through with our 2 yr olds.

http://www.byronchild.com/arts50.htm here is an excerpt:

The toddler stage

As the baby tentatively ventures into the world of toddlerdom, a new kind of nourishment is needed for his empowerment — symbiosis no longer works. Certainly, the foundation of emotional security comes from meeting the baby's attachment needs. But this foundation of trust is intended as a safe, inner home-base, from which the toddler begins to discover and explore his own ‘otherness'. Once security is established, the child needs to grow a healthy interpersonal boundary, and a gradual change of tack is required from the parent who thus far has strived to respond to his every need. Now the child gains in strength through the gradual discovery of the parent as a separate person, with his own needs, desires, feelings — and limits!

[ShannonandDel]

Yeah, I agree. It is a little weird going from making sure she doesn't need anything to trying to get her to understand that she isn't the only person in the house and that there are rules. She is getting so much better at this though

[ShannonandDel]

p.s. Cool site
Thanks for posting it!

[moogie]

I got 10 back issues of their magazine and i'm subscribed for 2 yrs now.  I find it to be a great resource, you can get it shipped to the states too.  I met the editor and she practices what she preaches.
 
heres another good one.

http://www.byronchild.com/arts28.htm

[jnezmama02]

I definitely think this is true that at 2yrs, we need to start establishing rules and consequences now.  I made the mistake of waiting too long (about 2.5yrs w/ Jessie) and it really made her hard to deal w/.  We definitely have been kicking in the rules and consequences w/ Emily over the last few weeks. I know it will make it easier in the long run.