Helping Your Child Overcome Anxious Attachment

Understanding Anxious Attachment

Parents play a crucial role in developing a healthy bond with their children. Ideally, parents aim for their kids to develop a secure attachment. However, sometimes emotionally sensitive children can develop an anxious attachment to parents, making it challenging to separate from them for school, playdates, or even simple tasks. Anxious attachment can develop when parents don’t prioritize spending quality time with their children.

What is Anxious Attachment?

Anxious attachment, one of four attachment styles, can have a significant impact on a child’s life if left unaddressed. This attachment style is directly related to how a child is parented. An anxious attachment may form if a caregiver is inconsistent in being attentive and responsive, leading to anxiety in later childhood or adolescence.

Recognizing Anxious Attachment

Children with anxious attachment may struggle with uncertainty about what to expect from their caregivers due to inconsistent caregiving. Signs of anxious attachment include clinginess, low self-esteem, sensitivity to feedback, emotional volatility, and resistance to separation.

Signs Your Child Has Developed an Anxious Attachment

If you’re concerned that your child may have developed an anxious attachment, watch out for signs such as clinginess, low self-esteem, sensitivity to feedback, emotional volatility, and resistance to separation. Consulting with a pediatrician or mental health expert can help determine if these behaviors are part of normal development or indicate an anxious attachment.

Tips to Help Your Child

Children with anxious attachment can benefit from strategies to reduce anxiety and strengthen their bond with parents. Creating a five-senses box and practicing somatic exercises are effective ways to help children self-soothe and regulate their emotions. These techniques can foster a secure attachment and boost your child’s confidence and independence.

—
Read More For Parents