Psychology says a secure bond between a child and caregiver is important. Statistics show that babies with a secure attachment with at least one caregiver grow up to have healthy relationships with teachers, friends, future mates, etc.
Who doesn't want that for not only our own children? But wouldn't it be wonderful if every human felt secure and had healthy relationships?
Even if you are not a parent, you have met a child who needed security: a student, a relative, a child in the grocery store.
As a teacher, I often felt helpless. I wanted to take some of my students home and make everything all better. After trying a million different things, I finally realized the only thing I could do was be the best teacher I could be.
That meant starting with me, taking better care of myself with enough rest, exercise, meditation, and writing. I began healing my own stuff. My classroom instantly reflected the change.
Now that I am a step-mother, I don't have as much time for these healthy behaviors. Still, I want to help the girls feel secure.
Although they were securely attached with at least one primary caregiver, I wasn't there at the beginning of their lives to foster a secure attachment to me. Is it too late? How can I give them this gift?
I realized I can start with myself.
