Raising a Secure Child: Creating Emotional Availability Between Parents and your Children
Child psychologist Biringen draws on 16 years of research to help parents understand the tie between their parenting and the emotional health of their children. She begins by describing well-established attachment theory and critiques the attachment parenting techniques that have been popularized by parenting books. According to research, 25 to 30 percent of families have children who do not feel secure in their relationships with their parents, even though strong parent-child relationships are predictors for happy lives and healthy relationships with others. Using interviews with parents and children, and personal stories, the author describes how to assess the quality of the relationship at different stages of development and focuses on teaching skills to parents to help ensure a nurturing and healthy relationship with their children. Biringen provides examples of healthy, affectionate relationships and troubled, insecure relationships, explaining, for example, the difference between strong attachment and clinginess. Parents will appreciate this highly accessible and useful resource that includes practical suggestions for strengthening ties between parents and children.Vanessa BushCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved