đź’” Key Concepts:
- Attachment is foundational
- Secure attachment builds resilience
- Serve and return communication
- A web of supportive relationships
- Not just comfort, but capacity
→ Secure attachment, first described by John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth, gives kids a blueprint that says: “My parent sees me, hears me, and will be there when I need them.”
→ Children who feel safe to bring their emotions to a parent develop stronger regulation skills. They know even difficult feelings can be shared and managed together.
→ As Dr. Dan Siegel explains, every empathic back-and-forth exchange literally builds neural pathways for resilience. Responding with empathy wires the brain for trust and openness.
→ Research shows kids thrive when at least one additional caring adult is present. Teachers, grandparents, coaches, and mentors help create stability during divorce.
→ Secure attachment shapes lifelong emotional health, trust, and relationship skills. Your presence isn’t just soothing in the moment, it is training your child’s brain for resilience.
🧠Bottom Line:
Attachment isn’t optional—it is the foundation of how kids learn to trust, relate, and cope. During divorce, your consistent emotional presence and a supportive network of caring adults give your child the secure base they need to grow stronger through adversity.